Bacterial Leaf Spot
Risk near you, next 48h
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When it strikes
About
Bacterial leaf spot (Xanthomonas and Pseudomonas) affects peppers, tomatoes, stone fruit and leafy greens in warm, wet, splashy weather, spreading fast through rain and overhead irrigation.
Symptoms
Small, dark, water-soaked angular spots often with yellow halos that may drop out to leave a shot-hole; scabby raised lesions on fruit; defoliation in severe cases.
Organic Treatment
Remove infected leaves, avoid working among wet plants, mulch to stop splash, and apply copper preventively. Use clean, hot-water-treated seed.
Chemical Treatment
Copper combined with mancozeb; rotate to limit copper-resistant strains.
Prevention
Start with certified disease-free seed and transplants, rotate crops, water at the base, and avoid handling wet foliage.