Superelongation disease, caused by Elsinoe brasiliensis, confirmed on cassava in Trinidad and Tobago
Abstract
In 2007, a new disease was observed on cassava in fields in the north, south and central areas of Trinidad. Disease incidence ranged from 5-100%. Field symptoms included raised, pale, tan-coloured corky lesions on the petioles and midribs of leaves and stems. Infrequently, chlorotic spots with necrotic centres were observed on the leaf lamina, which dried and fell out, giving a 'shot hole' appearance. Leaves were often twisted and curled. Sphaceloma manihoticola (teleomorph E. brasiliensis) was consistently isolated from the leaf material. In pathogenicity tests, disease symptoms in cv. MMex identical to those observed in the field appeared at 7-10 days after inoculation. This is thought to be the first record of E. brasiliensis on cassava in Trinidad and Tobago.
Citation
Reeder, R.; Kelly, P.L.; St. Hill, A.A.; Ramnarine, K. Superelongation disease, caused by Elsinoe brasiliensis, confirmed on cassava in Trinidad and Tobago. Plant Pathology (2008) 58 (4) 800-800. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3059.2009.02025.x]