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Zinnia Diseases

Informational table showing disease name, symptoms, pathogen/cause, and management of Zinnia diseases.
Updated:
July 31, 2016
Disease Symptoms Pathogen/Cause Management
Alternia Leaf Spot Large reddish brown or purple spots, at first round to oblong but becoming irregular in shape have gray or tan centers that may drop out leaving a hole. Severely affected leaves brown, dry, and become brittle. Alternaria zinniae Apply a fungicide. Whenever possible, water in a manner that keeps the leaves dry to inhibit this seedborn disease.
Aster Yellows Leaf-like tissue forms where flower parts should be located. Flower-like parts remain green or light green. Often flowers on only one side of the spoke show sympotms. Sepals may be very large or dwarfed. Phytoplasma Destroy infected plants. Control leafhoppers.
Bacterial Leaf Spot Spots reddish brown to dark brown, angular and with a prominent yellow halo form on leaves. Xanthomonas campestris pv. zinniae No sprays are effective. Whenever possible, water in a manner that keeps the leaves dry to inhibit this seedborn disease.
Powdery Mildew White fungal growth forms on the upper surface of leaves and may form on flower petals. Golovinomyces cichoracearum (formerly Erysiphe) Apply a fungicide to protect plants.

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Alternaria leaf spot. Bacterial leaf spot (those with yellow halo)

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Alternaria leaf spot (purple spot, no halo).

Gary W. Moorman, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus
Pennsylvania State University