Sweetpotato scurf

Brown spots merge and discolour storage root surface (G. Lawrence, APS).

An infected mother root and sprouts (G. Lawrence, APS).

Diagnostic summary

• What you see on plants

- initially small brown spots on storage root surface which enlarge and coalesce to give discoloured, superficial, necrotic areas of varying sizes and shapes.

- colour of lesion depends on skin colour.  Copper-skinned cultivars have brown lesions and red ones have almost black lesions.

- above-ground parts are not affected unless in contact with infected soil.

- disease further develops during storage but no new infections are observed. Affected areas become leathery and dry, with a loss of moisture and consequently shrinkage of the root.

• Found in different regions of the world but more prevalent in  temperate  growing areas.

• More severe in rainy seasons and in heavy soils.

Taxonomy

Economic importance

Geographical distribution

Morphology

Symptoms

Biology and ecology

Host range

Management

References

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