Bacterial Leaf Spot (bacterium - Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria):
Small, yellowish-green spots develop on the leaves [Picture]. The spots become brown and under favorable weather conditions, they become numerous, enlarge, and coalesce [ Picture]. This leads to defoliation [Picture]. The pathogen can also cause wart-like, dark brown spots on the fruit [Picture] or on the peduncle [Picture]. Damage caused by leafminer may be mistaken for bacterial leaf spot [Picture]. The pathogen is seedborne, but can also persist in crop residue. Splashing rain or overhead irrigation can spread the pathogen within the field. The disease is controlled by using clean seed and crop rotation. A copper spray program initiated on a preventative basis early in the growing season will reduce disease development.

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