Pepper - Bacterial Spot

Bacterial spot of pepper
Photo: Dr. Russell Nagata, CTAHR

Close up of bacterial spot of pepper
Photo: Dr. Russell Nagata, CTAHR

Problem

Fruit have many small spots. The leaves have dark brown or black, water soaked spots which eventually deteriorate, leaving holes in the leaves. 

Description

See Tomato – Bacterial spot in these FAQs for more information and photos of tomatoes.

Information

• CTAHR – Farmer’s Bookshelf – Vegetables – Tomato
• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Vegetable Production – Tomato Problem Solver - under “Disorders of tomato leaves”
  

Bacterial spot of pepper, underside of leaf
Photo: Dr. Russell Nagata, CTAHR

Bacterial spot of pepper
Photo: Dr. Russell Nagata, CTAHR

Bacterial spot of tomato
Photo: Dr. Russell Nagata, CTAHR

Control

You should destroy plants after harvest to prevent the spread of bacterial spot. Good sanitation helps; keep weeds under control and remove plant debris. Rotate crops so that you are not planting solanaceous crops (tomato, pepper, tomato, potato) in the same area season after season, and if you buy seedlings, be sure that they are disease free before transplanting.

Kendal Lyon, Hawaii Island Master Gardeners