Category Archives: Quick Reference Guide

Disease - Broad Leafed Woody Ornamental, Disease - Fruit Crop, Disease - Herbaceous Ornamental, Disease - Needled Woody Ornamental, Disease - Specialty Crop, Disease - Vegetable, Fact Sheet, Quick Reference Guide

Plant Problems to Watch for in 2023

November 13, 2022 ddlang

	Lipstick Rust Host: Chinese juniper, apple, crabapple Pathogen: Gymnosporangium yamadae Signs/Symptoms: Brown blobs with orange gelatinous masses (juniper), red leaf spots (apple, crabapple)
	Boxwood Blight Host: Boxwood Pathogens: Calonectria pseudonaviculata Signs/Symptoms: Circular, brown leaf spots followed by leaf drop and shrub death For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0023
	Late Blight Host: Tomato, potato Pathogen: Phytophthora infestans Signs/Symptoms: Water-soaked spots on leaves, leathery areas on tomato fruits, rapid plant death For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0068
	Septoria Leaf Spot and Early Blight Host: Tomato Pathogens: Septoria lycopersici and Alternaria solani Signs/Symptoms: Spotting and eventual total collapse of leaves, working from the bottom of the plant up For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0100/46
	Septoria Leaf Spot of Lilac Host: Lilac Pathogen: Septoria sp. Signs/Symptoms: Dead spots on leaves, potentially leading to complete leaf browning
	Verticillium Wilt Hosts: Woody and herbaceous ornamentals, vegetables Pathogens: Verticillium sp. Signs/Symptoms: Wilting, branch dieback, plant death For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0121/D0122
	Powdery Mildew Hosts: Herbaceous and woody ornamentals, fruit, vegetables, turf Pathogens: miscellaneous powdery mildew fungi Signs/Symptoms: Powdery white growth on leaves For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0084/86/87
	Rhizosphaera Needle Cast Hosts: Colorado blue spruce, other spruces Pathogen: Rhizosphaera kalkhoffii Signs/Symptoms: Browning/purpling of interior needles of lower branches, followed by needle drop For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0093
	Diplodia Shoot Blight and Canker Hosts: Austrian pine, other pines Pathogen: Diplodia spp. Signs/Symptoms: Dieback of brand tips with dead needles showing uneven lengths For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0042
	Chlorosis Hosts: Pin oak, red maple, birch, azalea, white pine, blueberry Pathogen: None Signs/Symptoms: Yellow leaves with dark green veins For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0030
	Improper Planting Hosts: Woody trees and shrubs Pathogen: None Signs/Symptoms: No root flare at the soil line, girdling roots, frost cracks, canopy thinning, early fall color, branch dieback, tree/shrub decline and death

For more information on plant problems to watch for:
See https://pddc.wisc.edu/ or contact your county Extension agent.

Disease - Broad Leafed Woody Ornamental, Disease - Fruit Crop, Disease - Herbaceous Ornamental, Disease - Needled Woody Ornamental, Disease - Vegetable, Fact Sheet, Quick Reference Guide

Plant Problems to Watch for in 2022

April 28, 2022 ddlang

	Boxwood Blight Host: Boxwood Pathogens: Calonectria pseudonaviculata Signs/Symptoms: Circular, brown leaf spots followed by leaf drop and shrub death For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0023
	Lipstick Rust Host: Chinese juniper, apple, crabapple Pathogen: Gymnosporangium yamadae Signs/Symptoms: Brown blobs with orange gelatinous masses (juniper), red leaf spots (apple, crabapple)
	Late Blight Host: Tomato, potato Pathogen: Phytophthora infestans Signs/Symptoms: Water-soaked spots on leaves, leathery areas on tomato fruits, rapid plant death For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0068
	Septoria Leaf Spot and Early Blight Host: Tomato Pathogens: Septoria lycopersici and Alternaria solani Signs/Symptoms: Spotting and eventual total collapse of leaves, working from the bottom of the plant up For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0100/46
	Septoria Leaf Spot of Lilac Host: Lilac Pathogen: Septoria sp. Signs/Symptoms: Dead spots on leaves, potentially leading to complete leaf browning
	Wood Rots Hosts: Woody trees and shrubs Pathogens: Miscellaneous wood rot fungi Signs/Symptoms: Shelf-like growths on trunks and branches
	Canker Diseases Hosts: Woody trees and shrubs Pathogens: Miscellaneous canker fungi Signs/Symptoms: Sunken areas on trunks/branches For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0027, D0037, D0042, D0055, D0074, D0114
	Virus Diseases Hosts: All plants, particularly herbaceous ornamentals Pathogen: Miscellaneous plant viruses Signs/Symptoms: Blotchy leaf color, growth distortions For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0036, D0063, D0067, D0115, D0116, D0130
	Rhizosphaera Needle Cast Hosts: Colorado blue spruce, other spruces Pathogen: Rhizosphaera kalkhoffii Signs/Symptoms: Browning/purpling of interior needles of lower branches, followed by needle drop For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0093
	Chlorosis Hosts: Pin oak, red maple, birch, azalea, white pine, blueberry Pathogen: None Signs/Symptoms: Yellow leaves with dark green veins For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0084
	Improper Planting Hosts: Woody trees and shrubs Pathogen: None Signs/Symptoms: No root flare at the soil line, girdling roots, frost cracks, canopy thinning, early fall color, branch dieback, tree/shrub decline and death

Disease - Vegetable, Fact Sheet, Quick Reference Guide

Vegetable Disease Quick Reference

June 1, 2021 ddlang

	Septoria Leaf Spot and Early Blight Host: Tomato Pathogens: Septoria lycopersicia and Alternaria solani Signs/Symptoms: Spotting and eventual total collapse of leaves working from the bottom of the plant up For more information see: UW Garden Facts D0100/D0046
	Late Blight Hosts: Tomato, potato Pathogen: Phytophthora infestans Signs/Symptoms: Water-soaked spots on leaves, leathery areas on tomato fruits, rapid plant death For more information see: UW Garden Facts D0068
	Blossom End Rot Host: Tomato, pepper, eggplant, cucumber, squash Cause: Calcium deficiency Signs/Symptoms: Decayed areas on the bottom sides of vegetable fruits For more information see: UW Garden Facts D0022
	Powdery Mildew Hosts: Any vegetable, particularly vine crops, peas Pathogens: Miscellaneous powdery mildew fungi Signs/Symptoms: Powdery white growth on leaves For more information see: UW Garden Facts D0086
	Common Corn Smut Hosts: Corn Pathogen: Ustilago maydis Signs/Symptoms: Pasty white masses on corn ears eventually decomposing into a brown powder For more information see: UW Garden Facts D0031
	Black Rot Hosts: Crucifers (e.g., cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) Pathogen: Xanthomonas campestris pv. campetris Signs/Symptoms: V-shaped yellow/dead areas on leaves progressing into plant deterioration and death For more information see: UW Garden Facts D0019
	Potato Scab Hosts: Potato, carrot, beet, other root crops Pathogen: Streptomyces scabies Signs/Symptoms: Brown, rough, scab-like areas on tubers and roots For more information see: UW Garden Facts D0083
	Verticillium Wilt Host: Tomato, pepper, eggplant, potato, vine crops Pathogen: Verticillium spp. Signs/Symptoms: Leaf yellowing and wilting of plants followed by eventual plant death For more information see: UW Garden Facts D0122
	Aster Yellows Hosts: Carrot Pathogens: Aster yellows phytoplasma Signs/Symptoms: Yellow/orange/purple leaves, stunted roots with tufts of white hairy roots For more information see: UW Garden Facts D0007
	Bacterial Wilt Hosts: Vine crops Pathogen: Erwinia tracheiphila Signs/Symptoms: Sectional wilting and eventual death of plants after cucumber beetle feeding For more information see: UW Garden Facts D0014
	Basil Downy Mildew Host: Basil Pathogen: Peronospora belbahrii Signs/Symptoms: Downward-cupped, yellow leaves with purple-gray fuzz on leaf undersurfaces For more information see: UW Garden Facts D0015

For more information on conifer diseases: See https://pddc.wisc.edu/ or contact your county Extension agent.

Disease - Field and Forage, Disease - Specialty Crop, Fact Sheet, Quick Reference Guide

Ten Common Plant Diseases/Disorders You Can Diagnose by Eye

April 30, 2021 ddlang

	Powdery Mildew Hosts: Herbaceous and woody ornamentals, fruits, vegetables, turf Pathogens: Miscellaneous powdery mildew fungi Signs/Symptoms: Powdery white growth on leaves For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0084/86/87
	Tar Spot Hosts: Maples Pathogen: Rhytisma spp. Signs/Symptoms: Tarry areas (either solid spots or clusters of small spots) on leaves For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0110
	Peach Leaf Curl Hosts: Peach Pathogen: Taphrina deformans Signs/Symptoms: Light-green, yellow or purplish-red puckered areas on leaves For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0076
	Sooty Mold Hosts: Any plant Pathogen: Miscellaneous sooty mold fungi Signs/Symptoms: Powdery black growth on leaves or needles For more information see: UW Bulletin A2637
	Chlorosis Hosts: Oak, red maple Cause: Iron or manganese deficiency, often induced by high soil pH Signs/Symptoms: Yellow leaves with dark green veins For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0030
	Gymnosporangium Rusts Hosts: Juniper, apple, crabapple, hawthorn, quince Pathogen: Gymnosporangium spp. Signs/Symptoms: Brown blobs with orange gelatinous masses (juniper); yellow/orange leaf spots (other hosts) For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0058
	Black Knot Hosts: Prunus spp. (plum and cherry) Pathogen: Apiosporina morbosa Signs/Symptoms: Black poop-like growths on branches For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0018
	Elderberry Rust Hosts: Elderberry Pathogen: Puccinia sambuci Signs/Symptoms: Light yellow, powdery growths on branches For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0049
	Golden Canker Hosts: Pagoda dogwood Pathogen: Cryptodiaporthe corni Signs/Symptoms: Gold-colored branches with orange spots For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0055
	Dog Vomit Slime Mold Hosts: Any plant and on mulch Cause: Fuligo septica Signs/Symptoms: Scrambled egg-like masses on mulch or at the base of plants For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0102

For more information on common plant diseases: See https://pddc.wisc.edu/ or contact your county Extension agent.

Disease - Broad Leafed Woody Ornamental, Fact Sheet, Quick Reference Guide

Deciduous Tree Leaf Disease Quick Reference

April 30, 2021 hudelson

	Anthracnose Hosts: Most trees, commonly ash, maple and oak Pathogens: Gloeosporium spp. as well as other fungi Signs/Symptoms: Blotchy dead areas on leaves For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0002
	Purple-Bordered Leaf Spot Host: Amur, Japanese, red, silver and sugar maple Pathogen: Phyllosticta minima Signs/Symptoms: Discrete, circular leaf spots with purple borders For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0089
	Tubakia (Actinopelte) Leaf Spot Hosts: Oak Pathogen: Tubakia spp. (Actinopelte spp.) Signs/Symptoms: Discrete circular, or irregular blotchy dead areas on leaves For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0118
	Apple Scab Hosts: Apple, crabapple, pear, mountain-ash Pathogen: Venturia inaequalis, V. pirina Signs/Symptoms: Circular, black leaf spots with feathery edges; eventual leaf loss For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0004
	Gymnosporangium Rusts Hosts: Apple, crabapple, hawthorn Pathogens: Gymnosporangium spp. Signs/Symptoms: Bright yellow-orange, circular leaf spots For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0058
	Powdery Mildew Hosts: Most deciduous trees Pathogens: Several genera of powdery mildew fungi Signs/Symptoms: Uniform/blotchy powdery white areas on upper and lower leaf surfaces For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0087
	Downy Leaf Spot Hosts: Hickory, walnut Pathogen: Microstroma juglandis Signs/Symptoms: Discrete powdery white areas on lower leaf surfaces
	Chlorosis Hosts: Oak, red maple Cause: Iron or manganese deficiency, often induced by high soil pH Signs/Symptoms: Yellow leaves with dark green veins For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0030
	Scorch Hosts: Most deciduous trees Cause: Water stress induced by drought, high soil salt content, or other water-limiting factors Signs/Symptoms: Dead tissue on leaf margins
	Tatters Hosts: Most deciduous trees, but commonly oak Cause: Possible early season cold injury Signs/Symptoms: Lacy, tattered-looking leaves For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0111

For more information on deciduous tree leaf diseases: See https://pddc.wisc.edu/ or contact your County Extension agent.

Disease - Needled Woody Ornamental, Fact Sheet, Quick Reference Guide

Conifer Disease Quick Reference

April 30, 2021 hudelson

	Root and Crown Rots Hosts: All conifers Pathogens: Assorted root rot fungi/water molds Signs/Symptoms: Poor growth, branch dieback, discolored and deteriorated roots For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0094
	Rhizosphaera Needle Cast Hosts: Colorado blue spruce, other spruces Pathogen: Rhizosphaera kalkhoffii Signs/Symptoms: Browning/purpling of interior needles of lower branches, followed by needle drop For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0093
	Cytospora Canker Hosts: Colorado blue spruce, other spruces Pathogen: Cytospora kunzei Signs/Symptoms: Branch dieback with milky-white patches of dried sap on affected branches For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0037
	Spruce Needle Drop Hosts: Spruces Pathogen: Unknown (possibly Setomelannoma holmii) Signs/Symptoms: Needle loss and dieback at or near branch tips
	Gymnosporangium Rusts Hosts: Juniper, apple, crabapple, hawthorn, quince Pathogen: Gymnosporangium spp. Signs/Symptoms: Brown blobs with orange gelatinous masses (juniper); yellow/orange leaf spots (other hosts) For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0058
	Phomopsis Tip Blight Hosts: Junipers Pathogen: Phomopsis juniperovora Signs/Symptoms: Browning and dieback of branch tips in spring and early summer as new growth emerges For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0077
	Diplodia Shoot Blight and Canker Hosts: Austrian pine, other pines Pathogen: Diplodia spp. Signs/Symptoms: Dieback of branch tips with dead needles showing uneven lengths For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0042
	Dothistroma Needle Blight Hosts: Austrian pine, other pines Pathogen: Dothistroma pini Signs/Symptoms: Needle tip browning and death with a distinct break between live and dead tissue For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0043
	Drought Stress Hosts: All conifers Cause: Insufficient water Signs/Symptoms: Purpling/browning of needles near branch tips or higher up in plants during the summer
	Winter Injury/Winter Burn Hosts: All conifers, particularly yew and juniper Cause: Insufficient water Signs/Symptoms: Needle browning/bleaching over winter or in spring as plants come out of dormancy For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0127
	Herbicide Damage Hosts: All conifers Cause: Exposure to herbicides Signs/Symptoms: Twisted or otherwise distorted growth, needle yellowing or browning, plant death For more information see: UW Plant Disease Facts D0060

For more information on conifer diseases: See https://pddc.wisc.edu/ or contact your county Extension agent.

Fact Sheet, Quick Reference Guide, Turf

Lawn Disease Quick Reference

July 28, 2015 hudelson

Snow Molds
(Microdochium nivale and Typhula spp.)

Occurrence: Early to late spring
Favorable Conditions: Cold wet weather with periods of prolonged snow cover over unfrozen ground often leading to the most severe damage
Hosts: Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, perennial ryegrass
Symptoms: Circular, matted, gray to straw-colored patches ranging from a few inches to a foot or more in diameter
Management: Remove leaf litter from lawns. Mow lawns until dormant in the fall. Avoid heavy fertilizer applications (greater than 0.5 lb. N/1,000 sq. ft.) late in the year. Rake and lightly fertilize damaged areas in the spring to encourage recovery. Reseed lawns as needed.

Necrotic Ring Spot
(Ophiosphaerella korrae)

Occurrence: Spring, summer and fall
Favorable Conditions: Cool (soil temperatures of 55 to 65^oF) and wet conditions for infection, followed by heat and drought stress for symptom development; most severe when soil compaction limits rooting
Host: Kentucky bluegrass
Symptoms: Circular, straw-colored patches usually less than 12 inches in diameter; regrowth often occurring in the center of patches, creating a “frog-eye” appearance; most common in newly sodded lawns, but also occurring in seeded lawns
Management: Reduce soil compaction and improve lawn drainage. Maintain proper fertility.

Fairy Rings
(many mushroom-forming fungi)

Occurrence: Anytime
Favorable conditions: Warm, wet weather; significant thatch accumulation
Hosts: All cool-season lawn grasses
Symptoms: Type I: a ring or arc (up to several feet in diameter) of lush, dark green grass bordered by a band of dead turf, with or without mushrooms; Type II: a ring or arc of lush dark green grass with no band of dead turf, with or without mushrooms; Type III: a ring or arc of mushrooms with no band of lush green turf or dead turf
Management: Lightly fertilize and routinely core aerate lawns.

Summer Patch
(Magnaporthiopsis poae)

Occurrence: Summer
Favorable conditions: Hot, moist conditions; alkaline (i.e., high) soil and thatch pH
Hosts: Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescues
Symptoms: Ring-like patches of wilted turf up to 3 inches in diameter, similar to those of necrotic ring spot (see above), and with rings often merging into larger irregular patches
Management: Avoid excessive watering during hot periods. Core aerate to promote root growth and reduce compaction. Use acidifying fertilizers to lower thatch pH to below 6.5.

Dollar Spot
(Clarireedia jacksonii)

Occurrence: Summer
Favorable conditions: High humidity; low nitrogen fertility
Hosts: Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, fine fescues
Symptoms: Bleached patches ranging from a few inches to a foot in diameter, with leaf blades (inset) having bleached, hourglass-shaped areas
Management: Water deeply and infrequently early in the morning to minimize prolonged periods of leaf wetness. Apply nitrogen to alleviate symptoms.

Red Thread
(Laetisaria fuciformis)

Occurrence: Spring through fall
Favorable conditions: Wet, cool conditions
Hosts: Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, fine fescues
Symptoms: Irregular beige patches ranging from a few inches to a few feet in diameter (oftentimes merging into irregular patterns) with red, thread-like filaments among the grass blades
Management: Collect clippings when disease is active. Maintain adequate nitrogen fertility.

Rust
(Puccinia spp., Uromyces spp.)

Occurrence: Summer and fall
Favorable conditions: High humidity, low soil moisture, low nitrogen fertility, shade
Hosts: Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass
Stand Symptoms: Reddish-brown, powdery areas (masses of fungal spores) that can discolor clothing and equipment
Management: Maximize light and airflow in lawns by pruning and thinning surrounding landscape plants. Water and lightly fertilize.

For more information on lawn diseases: See UW Plant Disease Facts D0051, D0059, D0073 and D0092; UW Bulletin A3187 (available at http://learningstore.uwex.edu); contact the UW-Madison Turfgrass Diagnostic Lab (see https://tdl.wisc.edu/); or contact your county Extension agent.

Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic