By Wade Parker
Target Spot (Corynespora) in cotton is beginning to show up. The recent dry weather and sunshine has helped stave off this disease so far. However, at the time of this writing, most of the county has received 1 inch or better of rainfall in the past 24 hours. The five day forecast is also calling for widely scattered showers. With all of this said, growers need to pay attention for dime shaped lesions that have the characteristic concentric ring appearance.
You need to be prepared to apply a fungicide if warranted, to avoid defoliation. Please contact me if you need help in deciding whether to spray or not. Dr. Bob Kemerait, UGA Pathologist has published a risk index guide to aid growers in the management of target spot.
(specimen contributed) This leaf was found in the bottom third of the canopy in irrigated cotton. Although a little hard to see, you can see the concentric rings.
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