Pea Ascochyta blight

Ascochyta pisi, A. pinodella/Mycosphaerella pinodes

Credits-Biovision-Infonet

Ascochyta blight attacks all parts of the plant. The infected leaves have small to large, round to irregular, dark brown to purple spots. Some of the spots may have ashy grey centres. The spots usually have purple margins and may have rings. Spots may join up to form brownish purple blotches. Severely diseased leaves shrivel and dry, starting at the base of the plant and progressing upwards. Spots on pods are sunken but have no rings. Stem symptoms consist of brownish to purple streaks. Infection from infected seeds can cause a brown to black stem and foot rot just above the soil line. Such plants may die and result in a poor stand in the field. Blossoms may be infected and drop off during extended wet weather.

The disease is favoured by cool wet weather, heavy dews in the morning and relative humidity above 89%.

What to do:

• Use certified disease-free seeds.
• Use resistant varieties.
• Plough deeply pea stubble after harvest.
• Remove crop residues from the field after harvest.