Bacterial Speck — Permaculture Database

Overview

A bacterial disease of tomatoes causing small, dark, raised spots surrounded by yellow halos on leaves and tiny, raised, dark spots on fruit. Favored by cool, wet conditions.

Symptoms

Small (1-2mm), dark brown to black spots with yellow halos on leaves. Tiny, raised, dark spots on green fruit (less than 1mm). Spots do not enlarge on ripe fruit. Defoliation in severe cases.

Environmental Conditions

Cool

Prevention

Use disease-free seed and transplants. Rotate crops. Avoid overhead irrigation. Copper sprays preventively. Plant resistant varieties. Avoid working with wet plants.

Management

Apply copper-based bactericides. Remove infected leaves. Improve air circulation. Avoid overhead watering. Harvest fruit promptly.