Pepper Transplant Problem

Chatham County, May 2003

Diagnosis: Undetermined Environmental Injury

These black spots started appearing on flats in the greenhouse on several pepper varieties. The spots do not appear to be water-soaked and are found primarily on new growth, which is distorted. The spots appear on stems and leaves. A few aphids were present, but I have never seen spots like these attributed to aphid feeding. Possibilities include thrips damage, bacterial spot, or a virus. Plants were sent to NCSU's PDIC for diagnosis. The clinic found no disease or insect to be associated with the problem. Tomato spotted wilt virus assays were negative. Under the microscope, it looks like some type of injury. Nothing was applied overhead to explain the injury. Once the starts were planted in the field, they eventually grew out of the problem.

Place your mouse over each photo to read the caption.

pepper plant
stunted plant
close-up of leaves
close-up of leaves
close-up of growing tip
stem

This page last updated January 16, 2006.
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