To propose customized methods of evaluating the severity of cercospora leaf spot in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) leaves, a diagrammatic scale was developed with necrotic area of 2; 4; 8; 12; 27; 45; 71 and 93%. For validation, the severity of 50 leaves presenting different intensities of the disease was estimated by ten raters. Accuracy and precision were determined by linear regression, relating assessments performed by raters using the scale to actual severity. Repetition of the results provided by raters was verified in a second evaluation, seven days after the first assessment. The scale provided good levels of accuracy and precision of visual estimates. The coefficient determination average was higher than 0.94, and absolute errors were lower than acceptable limits. Overall, the raters exhibited good repetition of estimates. The proposed diagrammatic scale proved to be adequate for severity assessments of cercospora leaf spot in watermelon.
Citrullus lanatus; Cercospora citrullina; Cercospora apii s.lat.; pathometry
