Anthracnose

Worst in warm, wet, humid weather through summer and early autumn, December to April.

Anthracnose is a fungal disease that causes dark sunken spots on fruit, leaves and stems of beans, tomatoes, cucurbits and many fruit. It spreads in warm wet weather and on splashing water, and infected fruit rots in storage, so garden hygiene and dry foliage matter most.

How to identify

• Dark, sunken, often circular spots on fruit and pods
• Pinkish or salmon spore masses in the centre of older spots in wet weather
• Brown blotches and dead patches on leaves
• Sunken lesions on stems and rapid fruit rot in storage

How to prevent

• Rotate crops and avoid planting susceptible crops in the same bed
• Water at the base and keep foliage dry
• Space plants and stake them for airflow
• Use clean, disease-free seed and resistant varieties where available

How to control organically

• Remove and bin affected fruit, leaves and stems promptly
• Avoid working among plants while the foliage is wet
• Spray a copper-based fungicide as a protectant in wet spells
• Pull out badly infected plants to stop spores spreading
• Clear all crop debris at the end of the season