Lesson 3: Leaf Blight

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Lesson 3 Leaf Blight
Leaf blight is widespread in many humid areas
where sorghum is grown. If leaf blight occurs on
susceptible cultivars before earhead emergence,
grain yield losses may be up to 50. If
infection is moderate or delayed until after the
formation of earhead, yield losses could be
minimal.
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Lesson 3 Leaf Blight
Infection can also occur on seedlings. Typical
symptoms on foliage are long elliptical necrotic
lesions, straw colored in the centers with dark
margins (Fig.). These spots later enlarge and
join together leading to drying of leaves.
Long elliptical necrotic lesions on leaves
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Lesson 3 Leaf Blight
Management Crop rotation with nonsusceptible
crops such as legumes help in reducing soil
inoculum. Foliar application of fungicides may
be needed in seed production fields but it is not
economical in grain production fields.