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Bacterial Leaf Spot on Pepper Plants ïŋ― chili pepper plant care
⚠ Moderate

Dark, water-soaked spots with yellow halos ïŋ― bacterial leaf spot spread by splashing water.

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Fungal

Bacterial Leaf Spot on Pepper Plants

Commonly affects: Capsicum annuum, Capsicum chinense (Chili Pepper)

Small, dark, water-soaked spots appear on leaves, often with a yellow halo around each lesion. Spots may merge into larger dead patches, and severely affected leaves yellow and drop. Fruit can also develop raised, scab-like spots.

Potential Causes

  1. 1Xanthomonas bacteria spread by splashing water, rain, or overhead irrigation
  2. 2Working around wet plants, which can physically spread bacteria on hands and tools
  3. 3Infected seed or transplants introducing the pathogen
  4. 4Warm, humid, wet conditions favouring bacterial spread

Solution Steps

  1. 1Remove and destroy affected leaves and severely infected plants to reduce the bacterial source.
  2. 2Switch to base watering only, avoiding any overhead irrigation that splashes water onto foliage.
  3. 3Avoid working around plants while they're wet, and disinfect tools between plants.
  4. 4Apply a copper-based bactericide as a preventive measure once symptoms are first noticed.

Prevention Tip

Buy disease-free seed or transplants, water at the base only, and space plants for good airflow to keep foliage drier overall.