Directional Spread of Septoria Leaf Spot in Tomato Rows

Disease severity of Septoria leaf spot in rows of fresh-market tomato plants that were not staked was assessed in 1992 and 1993 following inoculation of the center plant in each row. Both temporal disease increase and spatial disease gradients were best described by the logistic model. Apparent infection rates for Septoria leaf spot epidemics averaged 0.282 day^-1 (SE = 0.015, r² = 0.96, P < 0.0001) in 1992 and 0.260 day^-1 (SE = 0.011, r² = 0.96, P < 0.0001) in 1993. Apparent infection rates remained relatively constant at increasing distances from initial foci. Estimated values for disease gradient slopes 3 to 5 weeks after inoculation ranged from -0.26 to -1.05 m^-1. Velocities of disease spread ranged from 0.3 to 1.3 m/day. Results of analysis of disease severity data for these 2 years suggest that Septoria leaf spot epidemics can develop at rapid rates, but steep disease gradients limit the velocity of spread.