An Overview of Target Spot of Tomato Caused by Corynespora cassiicola

Target spot of tomato caused by Corynespora cassiicola, is a serious foliar disease of both greenhouse and field grown tomatoes. The field disease is limited to the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The pathogen is identified primarily by the occurrence of indeterminate conidiophores with apically budding, multiple pseudoseptate conidia. Foliar symptoms observed in Florida, USA consist of small necrotic areas, often surrounded by chlorotic haloes. Fruit symptoms range from small flecks to deeply pitted necrotic areas. While C. cassiicola is reported to have a wide host range, specific isolates may infect only one or a few hosts. Fungicides proven effective in significantly reducing target spot severity on tomato include chlorothalonil, azoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, boscalid, and a combination product of famoxadone and mancozeb. The systemic acquired resistance activator, acibenzolar-S-methyl also provided control.