Gooseberry Leaf Spot
Leaf Spot (Pseudopeziza ribis) attacks both Blackcurrent and Gooseberry bushes causing defoliation of the leaves thereby lowering quality and yield in the current and subsequent year.
The disease is first seen from May onwards or earlier if it is a mild spring.
The symptoms appear at first as dark brown shiny spots about the size of a pinhead scattered across the upper leaf surface. Within these spores Conidia are formed which lead to re-infecttion throughout the plant. The leaf spots gradually increase in size and join together until the leaf takes on a scorched appearance and drop pre-maturely from the plant.
The fungus over-winters on the plantation floor within the dead leaves and re-infects the plant the following spring.