Cucumber, Pumpkin, Squash: Angular leaf spot

• Categories: Cucumber, Pumpkin, Squash Cucumber, Pumpkin, Squash Diseases Vegetables
• Last review date: 2025-10-31 08:48

Biology

Angular leaf spot is a bacterial disease which can affect cucumber and many related species.

Leaves initially develop small, water-soaked spots which enlarge until limited by the larger veins. The lesions are typically angular in shape rather than round. The spot may exude clear or milky droplets of bacterial ooze on the underside of the leaf. The droplets dry to a whitish, crusty layer. Leaf lesions often turn tan and tear away from the leaf, leaving ragged, irregular holes.

Spots also appear on stems, vines, and fruit. Lesions on fruits are typically small, circular, water-soaked spots. These spots may be associated with an internal fruit rot.

The bacteria are spread by splashing water, insects, and mechanical means including hands and tools.

Management Options

See "Using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in the Landscape" for successful problem management techniques.

Non-chemical Management

Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

• Plant disease-free seed.
• Rotate crops. Do not plant cucumber or related crops in the same location for at least two years.
• Plant resistant varieties. Resistant varieties may still become infected, but will suffer less damage. Pickling varieties: ‘Calypso, ‘Cross Country’, ‘Express’, ‘Frontier’, ‘Pioneer’, ‘Regal’, ‘Royal’. Slicing varieties: ‘Bel Aire’, ‘Dasher II’, ‘Encore’
• Avoid overhead watering.
• Wash with soap and water after handling plants. Do not handle healthy plants after working with infected plants. Do not handle wet plants.

Chemical Management

• Applying fixed copper products have reduced disease spread, but may cause stunting and leaf chlorosis.
• NOTE: Lilly Miller Kop-R-Spray Concentrate is labeled ONLY for cucumber and squash.

Approved Pesticides

If you choose to use a pesticide, some examples of products that are legal in Washington are listed below. Some products are labeled for just INDOOR or just OUTDOOR use, or may allow both uses. Be sure to choose a product appropriate for your situation. Always read and follow all label directions.

• Bonide Copper Fungicide Spray or Dust RTU [Organic]
  Active ingredient: basic copper sulfate
  EPA registration number: 4-58
• Bonide Liquid Copper Fungicide Concentrate/Organic Gardening
  Active ingredient: copper octanoate
  EPA registration number: 67702-2-4
• Soap-Shield Flowable Liquid Copper Fungicide [Organic]
  Active ingredient: copper octanoate
  EPA registration number: 67702-2-56872
• This list may not include all products registered for this use.