Strawberry Disease - Angular Leaf Spot

This disease is favored by cold, wet conditions, so it is often more apparent in years when spring temperatures are cool. The bacteria get spread within a planting by the splashing of water droplets, so needing to use overhead irrigation frequently for frost protection can make the problem worse.

It is important to note that because this disease is caused by a bacterium, rather than a fungus, fungicides used to control other diseases will not help have an effect on angular leaf spot.

Symptoms can vary a bit in coloration depending on the plant variety, weather conditions, and time of year. Key diagnostic features, however, are that the lesions are confined by the small veins of the leaf, and the infected areas appear a lighter color when the leaf is held up to the light, as the bacteria cause the tissue to clear. Thus, the lesions have a blocky or "angular" appearance, sometimes referred to as a "windowpane" effect. As infected areas accrue, blocks of damaged tissue die and turn a brown or red-brown color. In the photo below (Figure 1), there is a small amount of infected tissue on a young leaf, so tiny areas of infected tissue are seen. In the second photo (Figure 2), more tissue has been infected for a longer period of time.

When infected tissue is viewed with light shining on it, instead of through it, the infected areas appear dark. In the photos below (Figures 3 and 4), recently infected tissue can be seen on the leaf underside as blocky dark green areas which turn black as the tissue dies. Once the tissue dies, the infection is obvious on both the upper and lower leaf surface. Again, note the angular shape of infected areas.

Angular leaf spot also turns caps brown or black (Figure 5). This is often the first symptom that growers notice. Botrytis gray mold, caused by a fungus, can also turn caps brown. If the caps turn brown and you don't know which disease is causing the caps to discolor, check to see whether leaf symptoms of angular leaf spot are also present and if they are, angular leaf spot may be the problem. If leaf symptoms of angular leaf spot are not present, gray mold may be the issue. An additional clue is that if gray mold is the problem, the berry tissue will also eventually turn soft as it becomes infected, whereas, with angular leaf spot, the berry tissue remains normal in appearance. The berry often doesn't develop much sweetness with either disease, presumably because sugars cannot be translocated into the fruit normally when the caps are damaged.

Angular leaf spot and leaf scorch, a disease caused by a fungus, are also easily confused so here are photos to help you tell the difference. These photos are of the same two leaves, held differently so sunlight either shines down on them or through them. The primary disease affecting the leaf on the left side is leaf scorch, and the one on the right side, angular leaf spot. In Figure 6, where sunlight is shining down on the leaves, the leaves appear very similar. In Figure 7, where leaves are held up so that sunlight shines through the leaf, you can see that light does not shine through the leaf with leaf scorch on the left side, but the "windowpane" effect of angular leaf spot can be clearly seen on the right side. Note that in these two leaves, there is some of each disease present on each leaf.

No strawberry varieties have resistance to angular leaf spot. It is systemic within plants, and cannot be eradicated. The bacteria can also invade the plant's vascular system, causing a general decline, but this is less commonly seen than other symptoms.

Cultural controls consist of minimizing the amount of overhead irrigation used, and any practices that encourage drying of foliage such as keeping plantings weeded. Straw mulch can help minimize water droplet splashing, and avoiding moving equipment or harvesters through wet foliage will minimize the spread of inoculum. As mentioned above, commonly-used fungicides don't help with controlling this disease. Copper can help though phytotoxicity symptoms, which will appear as a general reddening or purpling of the leaves, may appear if more than four or five sprays are used. Avoid applications when temperatures are warm (higher than the mid-70s). Copper also tends to accumulate in the soil, so routine use without a reason is not recommended. Making applications early in the season will minimize infected leaf material, and prior to wet spells as temperatures become warmer may help to protect the caps. The main purpose of copper sprays is to protect tissue from infected bacterial slime, so if you are in a dry period, you can skip sprays for a while and save them for when you might need them later. Copper hydroxide formulations may be more effective than copper sulfate formulations.