How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines

SYMPTOMS

Bacterial leafspot infections start as small, dark specks on leaves. As disease develops, numerous water-soaked leafspots appear. Leafspots remain small (0.125 inch or 3 mm in diameter). Older leafspots turn tan and may or may not have a purple border around them. Leafspots are visible from both top and bottom sides of leaves. Symptoms on transplants may resemble downy mildew symptoms.

COMMENTS ON THE DISEASE

Bacterial leafspot is most often seen under greenhouse conditions. Occasionally it also occurs on cauliflower in coastal valleys, but its occurrence in production fields is sporadic. The pathogen is seedborne and is splashed from plant to plant by rain and sprinkler irrigation.

MANAGEMENT

Plant clean seed and disease-free transplants. Rotation away from fields where the disease has recently occurred may reduce inoculum levels in soil or infected debris. A change from sprinkler to furrow or drip irrigation may limit its spread. Cultivars vary in susceptibility.

PUBLICATION

UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Cole Crops
UC ANR Publication 3442
Diseases
S. T. Koike, UC Cooperative Extension, Monterey County
K. V. Subbarao, Plant Pathology,UC Davis, Salinas

Top of page