Entomosporium leaf spot of photinia

THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE
AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE
Entomosporium Leaf Spot of Photinia
Alan Windham, Professor, Entomology and Plant Pathology Photinia, a broad leaf evergreen, is widely grown in nurseries in Tennessee. It is used extensively
in landscape plantings, most often in border
plantings. Photinia X fraseri is especially popular
because of its bright red immature foliage. Leaf
spot caused by the fungus Entomosporium
maculatum
structive disease of photinia and other species inthe family Rosaceae in nurseries and landscapebeds. This disease is most often reported on red-tipphotinia (P. X fraseri). S y m p t o m s
Leaf spots on photinia are at first very small, slightly raised spots on either surface of the leaf.
Older spots have a slightly depressed brown cen-ter with dark red, raised margins. On heavily in-fected leaves, spots may grow together and form large lesions that lead to premature defoliation.
For successful control of leafspots, a good spray The disease is usually limited to the leaf blades, program, along with sanitation and pruning, is nec- but occasionally may occur on petioles and succu- essary. Diseased plants should be pruned in the spring before new growth appears. Also, if possible,fallen leaves should be removed and burned. Cut- Disease Cycle
tings should only be taken from disease-free stock In the spring, symptoms first appear on the plants. If liners are purchased, they should be care- new growth of the lowest branches and the disease fully inspected for disease symptoms. Container- spreads upward. The fungus over-winters on in- grown plants should be widely spaced to encourage fected twigs and fallen infected leaves from the good air movement and rapid foliage drying.
previous year. Spores from the twigs and fallen If Entomosporium leaf spot has been a problem leaves are splashed onto the plants by rainwater on container plants, fungicide sprays should be ap- and overhead irrigation. High humidity, cool tem- plied to the foliage as soon as new growth appears peratures and crowded conditions favor disease and continued at seven to 10-day intervals. Fungi- development. Container-grown plants are more cides that have been shown to be highly effective likely to be damaged by the disease than field- against this disease are Banner, Immunex, To protect people and the environment, pesticides should be used safely. This is everyone’s responsibility, especially the user. Read and follow label directions carefully before you buy, mix, apply, store or dispose of a pesticide. According to laws regulating pesticides, they must be used only as directed by the label.
Pesticides recommended in this publication were registered for the prescribed uses when printed. Pesticide registrations are continuously being reviewed. Should registration of a recommended pesticide be cancelled, it would no longer be recommended by the University of Tennessee. Use of trade or brand names in this publication is for clarity and information; it does not imply approval of the product to the exclusion of others which may be of similar, suitable composition, nor does it guarantee or warrant the standard of the product.
A State Partner in the Cooperative Extension System The Agricultural Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION WORK IN AGRICULTURE AND HOME ECONOMICS The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and county governments cooperating in furtherance of Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914.

Source: https://ag.tennessee.edu/EPP/Extension%20Publications/Entomosporium%20Leaf%20Spot%20of%20Photinia.pdf