NC State Extension Publications

Symptoms and Identification

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Typical leaf spots caused by bacteria appear as water-soaked, brown to black lesions often outlined with a yellow halo. Water-soaked (or sometimes called greasy) spots often appear on the underside of the leaf first. Lesions caused by Xanthomonas on Begonia and Pelargonium are v-shaped, extending inwards from the leaf margin. Necrotic spots may be angular or somewhat round. Spots may coalesce to cause a blighted appearance in some hosts.

"Look alike" diseases: Many fungal leaf spots, depending on the host, can be confused with lesions caused by bacteria. There is no convenient way to distinguish between these two, especially for the layman. Lesions caused by bacteria may produce a visible stream of bacteria when placed in water and observed under magnification, but streaming may not always be observed if the bacterium is not active. Similarly, fungal spores may be observed if conditions have been conducive for sporulation, although the lack of spores does not eliminate a fungus as the cause. Therefore, it is best to get diseased plants diagnosed by a plant disease clinic.

Begonia leaf with damaged top half

V-shaped lesion on begonia.

NC State University Plant Disease and Insect Clinic

Celosia seedling leaves with damaged areas

Bacterial leaf spot on Celosia seedling.

NC State University Plant Disease and Insect Clinic

zinnia leaves with spots

Bacteria leaf spot on zinnia.

NC State University Plant Disease and Insect Clinic

poinsettia leaves with spots

Leaf spot caused by Xanthomonas sp. on poinsettia.

NC State University Plant Disease and Insect Clinic

Pathogen

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Bacterial leaf spots on ornamental crops are typically caused by bacteria in the genera Pseudomonas, Xanthomonas​, and Acidovorax. Some of these bacteria cause disease on a wide host range while others cause disease on specific plant genera. In general, species of Xanthomonas are most active under warm conditions (>80F), but the presence of cooler temperatures does not eliminate the possibility of a bacterial disease being present.

Geranium leaves with spots

Bacterial leaf spot on geranium.

NC State University Plant Disease and Insect Clinic

Begonia leaves with spots

Bacterial leaf spot on begonia.

NC State University Plant Disease and Insect Clinic

Water-soaked lesions on pelargonium.

Water-soaked lesions on pelargonium.

NC State University Plant Disease and Insect Clinic

lesions along edges of Canna lily leaves

Canna lily with lesions caused by Acidovorax sp.

NC State University Plant Disease and Insect Clinic

A wide range of ornamental hosts are affected by bacterial leaf spot. Susceptible hosts include canna, begonia, marigold, tickseed, poinsettia, English ivy, geranium, chrysanthemum, petunia, vinca, salvia, zinnia, mandevilla, lavender, and gerber daisy.

Some of the more common bacterial leaf spots that occur on ornamentals include, but is not limited to, the following:

Bacterial leaf spot of zinnia is caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. zinniae.

V-shaped lesions on geranium is caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. begonia.

Bacterial leaf blight on cockscomb is caused by a species of Pseudomonas.

Bacterial leaf spot on canna lily is caused a species of Avidovorax.

Host Parts Affected

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Symptoms occur on the leaves and, possibly, stems. Depending on the pathogen, flowers also may be affected. In some hosts, Xanthomonas can be systemic.

Disease Transmission

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Seed transmission is a means of primary spread for some bacterial species.

Secondary spread, or local spread, can occur by water splashing during irrigation or rainfall events. Touching, moving, or otherwise handling plants when they are wet also allows the bacteria to spread.

Survival in crop debris depends on the species, but can allow the bacterium to carryover to the next crop.

Many (if not all) of the bacteria listed above can be trasmitted through seed, liners, or other propagation material.

Favorable Environmental Conditions

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Warm, humid conditions are favorable for disease development. Optimum temperature range for disease development of Pseudomonas is 77°F to 86°F, althought some species thrive in cooler temperatures (P. syringae favors tempeartures of 55°F to 77°F), Xanthomonas​ is 77°F to 86°F, and Acidovorax is 80°F to 86°F. These conditions make disease management on propagated plants under mist in greenhouses particularly difficult.

General Disease Management

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  • If starting crop from seed, purchase certified disease-free seed only. Most reputable seed companies provide certified disease-free seed.
  • If starting crop from cuttings or plugs, use healthy plant material only and avoid diseased material.
  • Discard any diseased material and cleanse hands before proceeding with healthy material.
  • Remove and destroy symptomatic plants and adjacent plants (to remove any asymptomatic, but infected plants) to avoid spreading the bacteria.
  • Drip or ground irrigation can help prevent spread of the pathogen. Minimize the use of overhead irrigation to prevent disease, or water when leaves can dry rapidly.
  • Leaves should be kept as dry as possible. Watering early or at a time of day that foliage can dry quickly will help prevent disease spread.
  • Use preventative bactericides (see below) if there has been a history of disease. Apply prior to disease development.
  • Sanitize greenhouse benches, tools, pots, flats and any other equipment by removing crop and soil debris entirely, followed by treatment with a sanitizer.

Disease Management for Conventional Growers

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Sanitation is the most important and effective management tool for control of bacterial pathogens. Bactericides (listed below) will only provide preventative control, so it is important the products are applied before disease occurs. Growers that have had bacterial leaf spot in the past should consider using one or more of the products below. Note that some strains of some of the bacterial pathogens listed above may be resistant to copper products and/or streptomycin sulfate, so if loss of control is observed consider switching products. In general, spray on a 7-10 day schedule, but follow label instructions. Spraying more frequently will not reduce disease.

Product Active ingredient Efficacy
(various) e.g., Champ, Nu-COP, CuPRO copper hydroxide Fair
Junction copper hydroxide + mancozeb Fair
Camelot O copper octanoate Fair
Cuprofix copper sulfate Fair
Phyton 27 or 35 copper sulfate pentahydrate Fair
Agri-Mycin streptomycin sulfate Fair
Alliette WDG, Areca fosetyl-Al Poor to fair
(various) e.g., K-Phite, Fosphite mono- and di- potassium salts of phosphorous acid Poor to fair

Disease Control for Organic Growers

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Sanitation is the most important and effective management tool for control of bacterial pathogens. Bactericides (listed below) will only provide preventative control and efficacy is variable, so it is important the products are applied before disease occurs. Growers that have had bacterial leaf spot in the past should consider using one or more of the products below. Note that some strains of some of the bacterial pathogens listed above may be resistant to copper products and/or streptomycin sulfate, so if loss of control is observed consider switching products. In general, spray on a 7-10 day schedule, but follow label instructions. Spraying more frequently will not reduce disease.

Product Active ingredient
Badge X2 copper oxychloride + copper hydroxide
Camelot O copper octanoate
Cease Bacillus subtilis QST 713 strain
Cuproxat FL basic copper sulfate
Kocide 2000-O copper hydroxide
Regalia extract of Reynoutria sachalinensis
Subtilex NG Bacillus subtilis strain MBI 600

Disease Control for Homeowners

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Home owners should follow the general disease management recommendations listed above. In addition, if few leaves are showing symptoms of bacterial leaf spot, a homeowner can remove those leaves (when they are dry) to reduce the level of infection. Dispose of leaves in the landfill or deep bury them. Also, copper-based fungicides are available at garden stores and can be used preventatively, but, as noted above, efficacy can be variable.

Acknowledgements

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This disease factsheet was prepared by the Meadows Plant Pathology Lab.

Funding for updating this fact sheet comes from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)-National Instiute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) (2017-70006-27141).

Thank you to Mike Munster, NC State Plant Disease and Insect Clinic, for kindly reviewing and improving this disease factsheet.

Authors

Extension Associate, Vegetable and Herbaceous Ornamental Pathology
Entomology & Plant Pathology
Research Assistant
Entomology & Plant Pathology

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Publication date: Jan. 14, 2019
Revised: May 4, 2020

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N.C. Cooperative Extension prohibits discrimination and harassment regardless of age, color, disability, family and marital status, gender identity, national origin, political beliefs, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation and veteran status.