Fungal pathogens present such a major threat to tea leaves that it requires use of chemical fungicides.

Studies have shown antifungal activity of plant extracts against pathogens of rice, tomato, wheat, pea, and other important crops (Rana et al.,[2] Sindhan et al., Hu et al).

[4] In 1999, the first report of leaf blight on sweet persimmon tree by Pestalotiopsis theae in Spain was documented.

The infected leaves had yellow spots of 1.2 to 4.9 mm in diameter, which then expanded to become large and irregular shaped lesions, having white center surrounded by a brown halo.

Scarring on the cornea meant the patient never regained full sight but recovered enough to leave hospital.