General Information

Close-up of Target Spot Lesion Photo Credit: Heather Kelly - UT

Close-up of Target Spot Lesion
Photo Credit: Heather Kelly – UT

Target spot is caused by the fungus Corynespora Cassiicola that overwinters in diseased debris and can survive in fallow soil for more than 2 years. Symptoms appear in the lower canopy as brown round to irregular lesions sometimes with a yellow halo. Lesions vary from specks to mature spots 10-15 mm or more in diameter. Some lesions are distinctly zonate, hence the common name.

  • Most commercial cultivars are tolerant to the disease.
  • Target spot has rarely been reported to affect yield and it is not recommended to apply a fungicide for management. Resistance to benomyl has been reported.


target spot with halo
Target Spot with Halo
Photo Credit: Heather Kelly -UT

varying lesions of target spot
Varying Lesions of Target Spot
Photo Credit: Heather Kelly – UT