Frogeye leaf spot
scouted July 22, 2026
- Scientific Name
- Cercospora nicotianae
- Background
- A tobacco field in Randolph County was being scouted, and it was observed that 80% of the field was affected by stunting and inconsistent growth.
- Conclusion
- The issue was identified as Frogeye Leaf Spot of tobacco. This disease is caused by the fungal pathogen Cercospora nicotianae and can affect tobacco at all growth stages, although it most commonly occurs on mature plants. Infections rarely cause yield loss but can result in severe leaf damage. Symptoms begin as small sunken white to tan spots that enlarge over time and develop reddish to dark brown margins with tan to gray centers. Yellow halos may be visible on green leaves. The pathogen overwinters in infected crop debris, and disease development is favored by wet conditions and temperatures around 27°C. There are no resistant varieties or effective chemical controls available for the management of frogeye leaf spot.
- Resources