Phoma Rot

Phoma Rot affects foliar plant parts and fruit. Small black lesions develop on either leaf surface enlarging to about 1/2 inch in diameter, appearing irregular to round in shape, slightly sunken and zonate; stem lesions are elongate but similar; fruit lesions are sunken black spots of increasing size at sites of wounds, insect punctures or stem scar cracks; all foliar and fruit spots develop black pycnidia obvious with hand lens. Pathogen spread by infected transplants or rain-splashed from infected crop debris. Disease favours periods of moderate temperature and high humidity.