Causal Agent:
Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae

Distribution:
Southern and Southeastern Europe, Southern USA

Symptoms:
Affected leaves or cotyledons develop irregular, water-soaked lesions that later become necrotic, turning dark-brown with a light center. Lesions may coalesce to form relatively large necrotic areas. Lesions with chlorotic halos are rare. However, under heavy disease pressure, large areas of the leaf may be affected and the whole leaf may turn yellow prematurely and drop. Infected fruit develop brownish-black, watery lesions that expand and rot. Symptoms of Syringae seedling blight can be confused with those caused by bacterial spot. However, the lower temperatures at which Syringae seedling blight occurs can help differentiate these two diseases.

Conditions for Disease Development:
Temperatures between 16 and 24ºC (60 and 75ºF) and high humidity favor Syringae seedling blight. Bacteria are spread by splashing water and enter the plant through natural openings or wounds.

Control:
Avoid low temperature and high humidity conditions in nurseries. Inspect seedlings for symptoms before transplanting to avoid introducing the disease to the field. Avoid overhead irrigation whenever possible.

Discrete and coalescing lesions.

Coalescing lesions with light centers.