Versions
- 2026-01-22 (2)
- 2019-05-30 (1)
Keywords
Florida
leaf
disease
southern highbush
How to Cite
Abstract
Southern highbush blueberry (SHB) cultivars are commercially grown throughout much of Florida in both deciduous and evergreen production systems. Growers in deciduous production should strive to keep leaves healthy through flower bud differentiation in fall to ensure optimum yield potential. In evergreen production, it is critical to maintain the prior year’s foliage through winter months to support early fruit production the following season. In both systems, leaves can be damaged by many factors, such as environmental conditions, chemical applications, insects, and diseases. This publication includes basic information to assist growers in determining 1) the likely cause (fungal, viral, algal, or bacterial) of leaf symptoms, 2) when specific leaf spots are likely to occur, 3) characteristic symptoms of common leaf problems, and 4) some of the available management options.
Accessibility Summary:
In accordance with Title II regulations this content meets all points of exemption as Archived web content and/or Preexisting conventional electronic documents.
References
Brannen, P., and P. Smith, eds. 2018. Southeast Regional Blueberry Integrated Management Guide. University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://extension.uga.edu/content/dam/extension/programs-and-services/integrated-pest-management/documents/handbooks/2018%20BlueberrySprayGuide.pdf
Brent, K. J., and D. W. Hollomon. 2007. Fungicide Resistance in Crop Pathogens: How Can It Be Managed? 2nd revised edition. Fungicide Resistance Action Committee. https://www.frac.info/media/jtafagre/monograph-1.pdf
Fungicide Resistance Action Committee. 2019. FRAC Code List© 2019: Fungal Control Agents Sorted by Cross Resistance Pattern and Mode of Action (Including FRAC Code Numbering).
Harmon, P. F., C. Harmon, and D. Norman. 2016. “Bacterial Wilt of Southern Highbush Blueberry Caused by Ralstonia solanacearum: PP332, 11/2016.” EDIS 2016 (9). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-pp332-2016
Harmon, P. F., O. E. Liburd, P. Dittmar, J. Williamson, and D. Phillips. 2024. “2024 Florida Blueberry Integrated Pest Management Guide: HS380/HS1156, rev. 8/2024.” EDIS 2024 (4). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-hs380-2021
Hongn, S., A. Ramallo, O. Baino, and J. C. Ramallo. 2007. "First Report of Target Spot of Vaccinium corymbosum Caused by Corynespora cassiicola." Plant Disease 91 (6): 771. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-91-6-0771C
Norman, D. J., A. M. Bocsanczy, P. Harmon, C. L. Harmon, and A. Khan. 2018. "First Report of Bacterial Wilt Disease Caused by Ralstonia solanacearum on Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) in Florida." Plant Disease 102 (2): 438. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-06-17-0889-PDN
Onofre, R. B., J. C. Mertely, F. M. Aguiar, et al. 2016. "First Report of Target Spot Caused by Corynespora cassiicola on Blueberry in North America." Plant Disease 100 (2): 528. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-03-15-0316-PDN
Pernezny, K., M. Elliot, A. Palmateer, and N. Havranek. 2008. “Guidelines for Identification and Management of Plant Disease Problems: Part II. Diagnosing Plant Diseases Caused by Fungi, Bacteria and Viruses: PP249/MG, 2/2008.” EDIS 2008 (2). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-mg442-2008
Phillips, D. A., N. C. Flor, and P. F. Harmon. 2018. “Algal Stem Blotch in Southern Highbush Blueberry in Florida: PP344, 11/2018.” EDIS 2018 (6). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-pp344-2018
Phillips, D. A., M. C. Velez-Climent, P. F. Harmon, and P. R. Munoz. 2018. “Anthracnose on Southern Highbush Blueberry: PP337, 5/2018.” EDIS 2018 (3). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-pp337-2018
Polashock, J. J., F. L. Caruso, A. L. Averill, and A. C. Schilder, eds. 2017. Compendium of Blueberry, Cranberry and Lingonberry Diseases and Pests. 2nd edition. The American Phytopathological Society. https://doi.org/10.1094/9780890545386
Robinson, T. S., H. Scherm, P. M. Brannen, R. Allen, and C. M. Deom. 2016. "Blueberry necrotic ring blotch virus in Southern Highbush Blueberry: Insights into In Planta and In-Field Movement." Plant Disease 100 (8): 1575–1579. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-09-15-1035-RE
University of Wisconsin-Madison. 2005. “Early Rot in Wisconsin.” Special factsheet. https://fruit.webhosting.cals.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/36/2011/05/Early-Rot-Diseases-in-Wisconsin.pdf
Williford, L. A., A. T. Savelle, and H. Scherm. 2016. "Effects of Blueberry red ringspot virus on Yield and Fruit Maturation in Southern Highbush Blueberry." Plant Disease 100 (1): 171–174. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-04-15-0381-RE
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2026 UF/IFAS