Early leaf spot caused by Cercospora
arachidicola and late leaf spot caused by Cercosporidium
personatum are the major foliar diseases of peanut worldwide.
Epidemics on
susceptible cultivars cause nearly complete defoliation and yield
losses of 50
% or more. Fungicides provide highly effective control and disease
advisories are used to minimize the number of sprays needed. New
breeding lines have higher
levels of leaf spot resistance than is currently available in
virginia-type
cultivars.