W. S. Gazaway - (Stemphyllium leaf spot). Approximately 400 acres of cotton was prematurely defoliated by Stemphyllium leaf spot in central Alabama. The field had been subjected to a prolonged drought throughout the summer. This is believed to have induced a severe potassium deficiency in these fields, making them more susceptible to the fungal leaf spot which appeared following late season rains. Losses were estimated to be around 25% of the yield potential.