Bacterial Spot

Bacterial spot infects tomatoes and peppers in areas of high humidity and rainfall. All above-ground plant parts can be infected resulting in weakened plants, reduced yields and unattractive fruit. Symptoms include dark pinpoint lesions on the leaves, stems, and fruit. On tomato leaves the spots may join to blight the entire leaf; on pepper the heavily spotted leaves turn yellow and drop off. Infections on the fruit begin as small, slightly raised blisters. As the lesion expands, it becomes brown and scab-like. The bacteria survive on seed or undecayed pepper or tomato plant debris.

Control: Remove crop debris. Avoid replanting into beds where bacterial spot has occurred within the past two years. Rotate tomatoes or peppers with other vegetables for two years. Purchase certified disease-free seed or transplants. Avoid wetting the leaves when watering. Prune plants to improve air movement. Fungicides are available.