Plant Pathology 1

b) Disease diagnosis
i) Date and place of collection [1]

Date of collection: 1 October 2024
Place of collection: Field in Goromonzi
ii) Describe the observed symptoms [4]
-Dark sports on leaves with circles around them and yellow rings around the spots.
-Leaves dry out and fall off
-Fruits start to rot and fall off the plant.
-If a plant has early blight, it will show symptoms on its older leaves, stem, and fruits.
-There will be gray or brown spots on the leaves that get bigger in circles around a clear center,
which look like a target(the characteristic"bullseye"formation). The spots are also surrounded by
a bright yellow ring.
-As the disease gets worse, the entire leaf may turn yellow and fall off, leaving the plant with
fewer leaves. When the leaves fall off, the fruits are more likely to get sunburn.
-The same type of spots with a clear center also appear on the stem and fruits. The fruits may
start to rot and fall off the plant.
c(i) Identify the pathogen causing the symptoms (common name, family, genus, and
species[4]
Here are some examples of fungi that affect tomatoes, with their common names, families,
genera, and species:
Common name: Early blight (Alternaria solani)
Family: Pleosporaceae
Genus: Alternaria
Species: solani
ii) Host details (species, variety, age, development stage) [4]
Species: Solanum lycopersicum.
Variety: Tengeru
Age: 60 days after planting.
Development stage: flowering stage
iii) Calculate the disease incidence of that disease.[2]
Total number of tomato plants in the field: 500 plants.
Number of plants affected by early blight:50 plants
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Disease incidence = (Number of affected plants / Total number of plants) x 100
Disease incidence = (50 / 500) x 100
Disease incidence = 0.1 x 100

Disease incidence = 10%
Therefore, the disease incidence of early blight in tomatoes for the whole field with 500 plants is
10%.
ii) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using symptoms as a method for plant
disease diagnosis.[10]
Using symptoms as a method for plant disease diagnosis has both advantages and disadvantages.
Here are some of the key points to consider:
Advantages:
1. Visual Identification: Symptoms are often visible and easily recognizable, which can make it
easier to diagnose plant diseases without the need for specialized equipment or laboratory tests.
2. Quick Diagnosis: By observing symptoms on plants, growers can quickly identify potential
diseases and take prompt action to prevent further spread or damage to crops.
3. Cost-effective: Visual observation of symptoms is a relatively inexpensive method for
diagnosing plant diseases compared to laboratory testing or other diagnostic techniques.
4. Early Detection: Symptoms can appear early in the disease development process, allowing for
early intervention and control measures to be implemented before the disease spreads.
5. Field Diagnosis: Symptom-based diagnosis can be done directly in the field, allowing growers
to make real-time decisions on disease management strategies.
Disadvantages:
1. Similar Symptoms: Many plant diseases can cause similar symptoms, making it challenging to
accurately diagnose the specific disease affecting the plant based on symptoms alone.
2. Environmental Factors: Environmental stresses, nutrient deficiencies, and other non-disease
factors can also cause symptoms that resemble those of plant diseases, leading to misdiagnosis.
3. Lack of Specificity: Symptoms may not always be specific to a particular disease, making it
difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of the problem without additional testing or expertise.
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4. Subjectivity: Interpretation of symptoms can be subjective and vary among different
individuals, leading to potential misdiagnosis or confusion.
5. Limited Scope: Some plant diseases may not exhibit visible symptoms, or symptoms may not
be apparent during certain stages of the disease, making it more challenging to diagnose based on
symptoms alone.
d) Discuss cultural practices carried out by the farmer that could have encouraged the
development of this disease[10]
Early blight disease in tomatoes can be influenced by various cultural practices carried out by the
farmer. Some factors that could potentially encourage the development of early blight disease
include:
1. Lack of crop rotation: Failure to rotate tomato crops with other plant families can lead to a
buildup of pathogens in the soil, increasing the risk of disease. Lack of crop diversity where the
farmer only focused on growing a limited variety of crops, it could have made the entire farm
susceptible to specific diseases that target those particular crops.
2.Overhead irrigation: Watering the tomato plants from overhead can create a humid
environment around the leaves, which is favorable for the growth of the fungus causing early
blight.
3. Crowded Plantings: Planting tomatoes too close together can limit air circulation, creating a
damp microclimate that facilitates the spread of the disease.
4. Poor Sanitation: Not cleaning up plant debris from the previous growing season can harbor
pathogens that cause early blight.
5. Late Plantings: Planting tomatoes late in the season may expose them to higher disease
pressure as the weather becomes more conducive to fungal growth.6. High Nitrogen
Fertilization: Excessive use of nitrogen-rich fertilizers can promote lush vegetative growth,
making the plants more susceptible to diseases like early blight.
7. Failure to Stake or Mulch: Staking tomatoes to keep them off the ground and mulching around
the plants can help reduce soil splash, which is a common way the early blight fungus spreads.
8. Ignoring Symptoms: Not promptly removing and disposing of infected plant parts can allow
the disease to spread rapidly within the crop.
9. Introducing infected plant material: If the farmer unknowingly introduced infected plants or
seeds into their fields, it could have introduced the disease to their crops.
10. Overuse of chemical pesticides: If the farmer relied heavily on chemical pesticides for
example mangozeb to control pests without considering alternative methods, it could have
disrupted the natural ecosystem of the tomato plant and led to the disease.
e) Discuss the methods that may be used to control /manage the identified disease [10]
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1. Selecting disease resistant varieties: Planting disease-resistant tomato varieties is one of the
most effective ways to control early blight disease. Look for varieties that are specifically bred to
be resistant to the fungus that causes early blight.
2. Crop rotation: Rotate tomato plants with other non-solanaceous crops such as beans, corn, or
lettuce to reduce the buildup of the fungus in the soil. Do not plant tomatoes in the same area for
at least two to three years.
3. Proper spacing: Plant tomatoes at the recommended spacing to ensure good air circulation
around the plants. This can help prevent the spread of the fungus.
4. Mulching: Mulching around tomato plants can help prevent the fungus from splashing up onto
the leaves from the soil. Use organic mulches such as straw, hay, or leaves.
5. Watering: Water tomato plants at the base to avoid wetting the foliage. Wet foliage can
promote the growth and spread of the fungus. Use a soaker hose or drip irrigation system to
water plants.
6. Pruning: Remove lower branches of tomato plants to improve air circulation. This can help
reduce humidity around the plants, which can help prevent the spread of the fungus.
7. Sanitation: Remove and destroy any infected plant material, including leaves, stems, and fruit.
This can help prevent the spread of the fungus to healthy plants.
8. Fungicides: In severe cases, fungicides may be necessary to control early blight disease. Look
for fungicides labeled for use on tomatoes and follow the manufacturer's instructions for
application.
9. Copper sprays: Copper sprays can be used to help prevent the spread of early blight disease.
Apply copper sprays according to the manufacturer's instructions.
10. Organic treatment: Some organic treatments, such as neem oil or potassium bicarbonate, may
help control early blight disease. These treatments should be applied according to the
manufacturer's instructions.
REFERENCES
Integrated Management of Diseases Caused by Fungi, Phytoplasma and Bacteria by A. Ciancio; K. G.

Mukerji (Editor); Aurelio Ciancio (Editor)
Westcott's Plant Disease Handbook by R. Kenneth Horst (Revised by) ISBN: 9781402045851
The New Encyclopedia of Insects and Their Allies by O'Toole, Christopher ISBN: 9780198525059
Publication Date: 2009
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b) Disease diagnosis

i) Date and place of collection [1]

Disease incidence = (50 / 500) x 100

Disease incidence = 0.1 x 100

Integrated Management of Diseases Caused by Fungi, Phytoplasma and Bacteria by A. Ciancio; K. G.

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