Credit: Gary Vallad, UF/IFAS
According to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, bacterial spot disease in tomatoes is worsening daily in Central Florida and North Florida. Infections are beginning to move up the plant.
Bacterial leaf spot has started in early tomatoes in the Immokalee, Florida area. Progression is similar to what scouts have observed in the Manatee County area.
According to UF/IFAS, bacterial spot is one of the most problematic diseases of tomato and is present everywhere that tomatoes are produced. Weather conditions like high temperature, humidity and rain are conducive for the disease’s development.
Symptoms of bacterial spot can impact all the aboveground plant parts. Spots are typically dark brown or black and circular on the leaves and stems. The disease starts on the lower leaves with symptoms usually visible on the underside of the leaves. Leaf lesions usually are circular and water-soaked initially before turning dark brown or black with a wet or greasy appearance.