Leaf spots and stem symptoms caused by Phytophthora nicotianae very closely resemble those produced by the related pathogen Phytophthora infestans, which causes late blight. These pathogens differ substantially in the quantity of spores (sporangia) they produce, which at least partly accounts for why only late blight is a highly contagious, destructive disease. Sporangia were very hard to find on the leaves photographed here, even following 1-day incubation in high humidity (inside plastic bag on wet paper towel). P. nicotianae can cause pink rot in tubers. These leaves were found in crops on Long Island during July in 2013 and 2015. Symptoms have also been reported in other states recently in the region.
Leaflets below photographed on 21 July 2015.
Below are the same leaflets after they were in a plastic bag for only 1 day.
Leaflets and stem below photographed on 30 July 2013.
Following photographs were taken in a commercial crop on 11 July 2019 by Anastasia Yakaboski, Cornell Cooperative Extension-Suffolk County IPM Program, when she observed while scouting. Photographs were taken along with collecting a sample for diagnostic confirmation symptoms were caused by Phytophthora nicotianae rather than P. infestans.
