Alternaria leaf spot (Alternaria carthami)

Nature of Damage: Severe in irrigated crop and in warmer areas particularly under frequent showers of cyclonic cloudy weather. Seed may rot and damping off of seedlings occur. Brown discolouration appears on the stem, dark brown spots with concentric ringns upto 1 cm in diameter appear on the leaves which later develop into larger lesions. Later hole is formed at the spotted patches.
Cultural Control: Seed the crop at the recommended time. Avoid growing in low lying areas and flooding under irrigation. Avoid continuous growing of safflower. Remove and destroy the diseased plants. Do not delay irrigation until the crop exhibits moisture stress symptoms.
Chemical Control: Spray mancozeb (0.25%) immediately after disease is noticed and repeat the spray 15 days later depending on the intensity of disease.