Source: NCSU COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, 7/15/20


Persistent wet weather conditions continue to cause issues for tobacco diseases across the state. In particular, target spot, caused by Thanatephorus cucumeris (syn. Rhizoctonia solani) is severe this year. Target spot is characterized by circular light brown lesions with dark brown concentric rings within the lesion. Lesions start out as small white-light brown sunken spots, which may be easily confused with other leaf spots. As the disease progresses, lesions may have the centers fall out causing a shot-hole appearance. Warm, moist environmental conditions favor disease development, which have been prevalent across the state for most of the 2020 growing season. For more information on target spot in tobacco, see the Tobacco Disease Information page developed by Dr. Dave Shew.

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