A study of the alternaria leafspot complex on potatoes and tomatoes in the Manawatu : this thesis is presented as partial fulfillment of the requirements for the M. Agr. Sc. degree of Massey University College of the Manawatu.

Abstract

The fungus Alternaria (Macrosporium) solani is associated with a foliage disease of potatoes and tamatoes throughout the world. Although there are often several phases of attack on these hosts by the fungus e.g. tuber damage in the potato and seedling loss with tomatoes, the disease has been named on the basis of the foliage symptoms which are characteristic. Two names are commonly used (l) Target Spot (2) Early Blight, and of the two, 'Target sport' is the more descriptive since foliage lesions are circular to irregular dark brown areas with a very characteristic zonation effect due to a series of more or less concentric rings within the lesion. [From Introduction]