BR - Black Rot
Scientific Name: Xanthomonas campestris
Type: Bacterium
Black Rot is a disease that affects the growth of arugula, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale, kohlrabi, mustard, radishes, rutabaga, Swiss chard, tomatoes, turnips, and watercress. It survives in warm wet weather and affects cabbage throughout the United States. It is spread from one field to another field by water and wind. The bacteria can infect seeds and young seedlings. Young plants infected will turn yellow, drop lower leaves, and may die. Once the plant is infected there is no rescue treatment since the infection is systemic. Symptoms include the yellowing of the leaves in v-shape or wedge-shaped patches and blackening of the internal vein. Usually only a few of the outer leaves are affected. Since the disease is spread by water, anything that can be done to reduce leaf wetness will help reduce the spread of the disease. Water the plants in the morning, instead of the watering in the afternoon or night, so the leaves have time to dry before sunset. Increase space between the plants to maximize air flow and drying of the leaves. The disease is favorable when temperatures are 75-95 F and rain, heavy fogs, and dew are present. The bacteria does not spread when temperatures are below 50 F or during dry weather. Plan on using a 3 year crop rotation and avoid planting in the same location, year after year, as the disease can survive in the soil for two years. Treating the infected area with fungicides can help manage the disease. The primary source of bacteria of black rot is infested seeds and in infested transplants. The best option is to use disease resistant varieties, disease-free seeds, and disease-free transplants.
BRib - Brown Rib
Type: Physiological Disorder
Brown Rib is a physiological disorder that affects lettuce. The disease cause dark brown to black streaks on the wrapper leaves first, then the discoloration extends to veins and ribs. The brown streaks along the ribs and veins of the leaves are often followed by soft rot. The cause is not proven, but it is thought to be heat stress and fluctuations of temperatures. Symptoms occur in the fields during warmest periods of the growing season. The best option is to use disease resistant varieties.
TB - Tip Burn
Type: Physiological Disorder
Tip Burn is caused by inadequate transport of calcium to rapidly growing tissues. It has caused severe loses to growers in the United States and Europe. It affects Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi, and lettuce. Uneven rainfall and watering, high temperatures, high humidity, windy conditions, dry soil conditions, and rapid growth are all factors. Tip burn consists of a breakdown of the plant tissue near the center of the head and develops as
the crop approaches maturity. The inner leaves of heads of cabbage are affected, often without external symptoms. The inner leaves turn dark brown, then to a black color. Symptoms can extend from a few small brown spots on interior leaf edges, to large areas of the leaf turning brown and eventually decaying. Secondary rot caused by bacteria can follow tip burn and heads of cauliflower can be severely affected. No completely effective controls are known, but excessive soil moisture and insufficient soil moisture have both been suspected as contributing to a calcium deficiency. Managing irrigation can regulate and control plant growth and calcium deficiency. The best option is to use varieties resistant to tip burn.