Pepper Diseases


Bacterial Spot
Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria

Found worldwide

Damage Symptoms

On leaves, small watersoaked spots become necrotic with a yellow border. The lesions may be sunken on the upper surface and raised on the lower surface. Heavily infected leaves may turn yellow and drop, resulting in severe defoliation.

Dark, raised lesions have a corky or wart-like appearance on fruits. Elongated necrotic spots or streaks appear on stems and petiole.


Conditions for Development

Bacterial Spot is seedborne and can survive in crop debris from infected plants. Many strains attack both tomato and pepper. The disease is enhances by overhead watering, heavy dew formation, and high temperatures.


Control

Rotate with cereals and other non-susceptible crops. Use pathogen-free seed and transplants. Resistant cultivars are becoming available, but may not be resistant to all strains of the disease. Sprays of copper or copper + maneb will reduce damage. Rain shelters may reduce the severity of disease during rainy periods.