Inoculum density, temperature, leaf age, and wetness duration were evaluated for their effects on the development of black streak (Itersonilia perplexans) on edible burdock (Arctium lappa L.) in a controlled environment. The effect of relative humidity (RH) on ballistospores production by I. perplexans was also evaluated. Symptoms of black streak on leaves increased in a linear fashion as the inoculum density of I. perplexans increased from 102 to 106 ballistospores/ml. Rugose symptoms on young leaves were observed at densities of ≥104 ballistospores/ml. Disease severity of I. perplexans in relation to leaf age followed a degradation curve when the leaves were inoculated with ballistospores. Disease severity was high in newly emerged leaves up to 5 days old, declined as leaf age increased to 29 days, and was zero when leaf age increased from 30 to 33 days. Disease development of edible burdock plants exposed to ballistospores of I. perplexans was evaluated at various combinations of temperature (10°, 15°, 20°, 25°C) and duration of leaf wetness (12, 24, 36, 48, and 72 h). Disease was most severe when plants were in contact with the ballistospore sources at 15° or 20°C. The least amount of disease occurred at 25°C regardless of wetness duration. Ballistospores required 24–36 h of continuous leaf wetness to cause visible symptoms by infection on edible burdock. Ballistospores production in infected lesions required at least 95.5% RH.
