Bacterial spot can result in severe damage to sweet pepper, tomato or pimento crops to the extent that it is a limiting factor to successful production. The bacterium (Xanthomonas vesicatoria) attacks leaves, fruits and stems causing blemishes on these plant parts. Outbreaks of leaf spotting have resulted in leaf drop and poor fruit set in the field. The defoliation from leaf spotting can increase the incidence of sun scald on the fruit. Badly spotted fruit is of little value. Injury from this disease allows secondary fruit rotting organisms to get into the fruits, causing further damage.

Symptoms
Leaves-- Spots begin as small, dark, water-soaked areas which become dark brown and slightly raised on the leaf underside. The spots often enlarge, and may be either dark colored or have tan colored centers with dark margins. The size and shape of leaf spots may vary under different conditions. Leaves with too many spots promptly turn yellow and drop, defoliating the plants.
Fruits-- Fruit blemishes begin as small, water-soaked spots which enlarge, becoming blister-like, rough and warty. The spots are brown and seldom exceed 1/4 inch in diameter. Often the disease extends into the seed cavity.

Spread
The source of first infection is usually contaminated seed or transplants or carry-over in infested plant debris in the field. The disease is favored by warm, wet, rainy weather, and its spread is aided by driving rain and wind-blown debris and soil which cause mechanical injury to the leaves and fruits. During such weather the pathogen can colonize the leaf surfaces, than the bacteria enters through these and other wounds or through leaf stomates and spread from plant to plant by splashing rain.

Control
1.Use certified, disease-free transplants. Nearby transplant sources pose less disease risk than distant sources. Groups of growers should diversify sources of transplants to reduce disease risks.
2.Use commercially produced, disease-free seed. If seed has not already been treated, use bacterial seed treatment prior to planting. Contact your county Extension office for current recommendations.
3.Rotate peppers or tomatoes with nonrelated crops from one year to another. Fields should be free of peppers or tomatoes 2 years before repeat cropping. Control weeds during rotation. Fescue sod is an excellent rotational crop.
4.Spray plants as needed with approved bactericides to slow down the spread of disease. Sprays need to be applied weekly or more often during rainy periods. Use of high pressure hydraulic or air blast sprayers is essential. Contact your county Extension office for the current spray recommendations.
5.Do not work plants while they are wet.