Bacterial Spot

Get the latest Bacterial Spot news, research and developments covering disease outbreaks, pathogen identification, resistant varieties, diagnostics, bactericides, biological control and integrated disease management. The disease affects tomato and pepper and is caused by several closely related Xanthomonas pathogens, with symptoms including leaf spots, fruit lesions, defoliation and yield and quality losses.

Disease development is favoured by warm, humid and wet conditions, while infected seed and transplants are important sources of introduction. Rain splash, overhead irrigation and handling of wet plants can spread the bacteria within fields. Management combines pathogen-free planting material, sanitation, crop rotation, irrigation management, resistant varieties and preventive crop protection.

Find updates on pathogen diversity, resistance breeding, new diagnostics, bactericides, biological products and emerging technologies for disease control. Recent research in India confirmed multiple Xanthomonas pathogens associated with bacterial spot of tomato and pepper across nine states, while 2026 research is also examining bacteriophage cocktails as a targeted biological approach and new resistance mechanisms in pepper.