The leaf spot disease often wreaks havoc in the garden. In addition to purely ornamental plants, she also sometimes gets parsley. But this plant in particular depends on its leaves. Can they still be saved as a cooking ingredient?
Is parsley still edible with leaf spot?
Parsley affected by leaf spot shows yellow-green, gray or brown spots and small black dots. Infected parsley leaves should no longer be used in cooking. Prevention includes growing less susceptible varieties and proper watering.
The leaf spot fungus
The pathogens adapt to their host. That's why they are given a corresponding name in the professional world. The leaf spot fungus that attacks parsley therefore has the illustrious name “Septoria petroselini”. It is one of many leaf spot fungi that hydrangea, camellia, privet, rhododendron, rocket, cucumber and some other plant varieties also suffer from.
The risk of infection
The fungal pathogens are not only present in the bed during the warm growing season. It hibernates undetected by us on the ground, on diseased plant remains and even on seeds. That's why infection usually occurs via the seeds used.
- humid weather has a beneficial effect
- Spread via water splashes
- by rain or watering from above
- The fungus is also spread through gardening work
Symptoms of parsley
The small leaves of parsley show yellow-green, gray or brown spots. Small black dots are also visible on the leaves and stems. These are spore deposits of the pathogen. Parsley deformed like this is not just a sad sight. It no longer belongs in our food either.
Preventive recommendations
Leaf spot disease cannot be controlled chemically. Even the usual household products that we often use as control agents in private gardens have no effect here. That's why the focus should be on prevention:
- growing less susceptible varieties
- do not collect seeds from diseased plants
- Put seeds in hot water at 50 °C for at least 25 minutes
- Observe crop rotation
- don't get the leaves wet when watering
Tip
If the weather is persistently wet, you can spray crops with a broth made from field horsetail on several days in a row. This strengthens their resilience.
Action in the event of an outbreak of disease
If the parsley shows the typical spots, it should be removed from the bed immediately and completely. The plant parts must be completely disposed of with household waste so that the fungal spores are removed from the garden.
