Occurrence of Target Leaf Spot of Red and White Clovers Caused by Stemphylium sarciniforme in Korea

A terget leaf spot of red and white clovers was observed during 1998-2000 growing seasons in several fields of Chungnam and Chungbuk provinces in Korea. Lesions were circular to oval in outline, brown to dark brown, ranging from a pinpoint to 3-4 mm in diameter, often concentrically zonate and presenting a target effect. A fungus associated with the disease was identified as Stemphylium sarciniforme based on the morphological characteristics of the conidiophores and conidia. The fungus was pathogenic on red and white clovers in the inoculation test. This is the first record of a terget leaf spot of red and white clovers in Korea.