Asparagus - Purple Spot

Key Points:

1. Asparagus Purple Spot is caused by the fungus Stemphylium vesicarium
   
   
2. The disease has caused severe problems in recent years
   
   
3. Losses from this disease are from spotting of spears which reduces marketability
   
   
4. Repeated defoliation of ferns can reduce yield in later crops.
   
   
5. The primary source of the disease is from infected fern debris from the previous crop
   
   
6. The control of Purple Spot involves fern management and well-timed chemical treatments
   
   
   • Purple Spot can occur after 12 hours of leaf wetness.
   • Look for purple spot on green fern following wet weather
     
   • Burying or burning fern debris
   • Removing volunteer asparagus plants
     

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