What Is It? | Facts in Depth | For the Professional Diagnostician
Brassica Diseases | Peppery Spot
Peppery Leaf Spot
Identification
- Symptoms begin as tiny water-soaked lesions or chlorotic spots on the leaves
- Circular spots are gray to light brown in color and sometimes have chlorotic halos
- As disease progresses, the lesions coalesce into irregular shapes
- Lesions are light brown in color and are confined along the leaf veins
- Severely infected leaves dry and become brittle
Peppery leaf spot on mustard (left; center) and collard greens (right).
Favorable Environmental Conditions
- Cool temperatures around 65°F to 75°F
Often Confused With
- Bacterial leaf spot caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. armoraciae
- Black rot caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris
- Downy mildew caused by Peronospora parasitica
Scouting Notes
- Peppery leaf spot is most prevalent in the fall and early spring
- Check foliage for water soaked lesions during and after periods of cool weather