As a relatively new disease to the UK the Cercospora Risk Forecast model is based on data collected from America and Europe. It is not yet known if isolates caught in the UK may react differently in our maritime climate.
BBRO will monitor levels of risk daily and where clear risk is identified growers will be contacted directly by text. However, we encourage all growers to be vigilant in their own areas as pockets of rain will add to the humidity pressures. We are also collecting weekly data from our spornado network to ascertain the presence of spores in the air. By overlaying the level of risk due to weather, the availability of spores and disease progression in 2024 we hope to develop a robust warning system for use in future years.
Leaf spores can develop from 5-21 days after infection. This depends on amount of inoculum and of course temperature and how wet the leaves have been. Spots typically appear on lower, older leaves first. Drought senesced or virus-infected leaves may also show symptoms quicker than healthy actively growing leaves.
The information provided on this site should be used as a guide and does not replace the need for individual crop monitoring.
The numbers shown on the map below indicates the level of risk to the crop of cercospora developing. When an area is deemed at risk the square will turn red, and should act as a prompt for you to check your crop for signs of cercospora. The map below is only an indication of environmental conditions relating to increased disease pressure, it is not an indication of disease presence. Only spray if cercospora is found.
Values below 6 are not of a concern.
If maps have not been updated or missed it means they are blank, with no figures depicting any rising risk. Where a high risk (red square) is noted a direct email/text will be issued to those growers in that area.
Highest day of risk, 20th July 2024 as shown below, followed by a rolling view of last 7 days.
Image below: Most recent Cercospora Leaf Spot Monitoring report
For more info on the risk of cercospora and how/why BBRO are undertaking this work, please watch this video and read the FAQs below.
