Rain and sprinkler irrigation splash the bacterial spores onto plants and from plant to plant. Bruised and injured plants are most susceptible. Get a positive identification of the disease by taking infected fruit to the local University Outreach and Extension office. Once the problem is positively identified, the proper treatment can be recommended. Treatment Remove infected fruits promptly and discard them in trash to be hauled off.
Prompt removal permits new fruits to form and grow.
Prevent disease spread to new fruits with weekly sprays of a combination of basic copper sulfate plus a fungicide labeled for tomatoes. Apply the protective spray as long as weather conditions are warm and wet. Follow label directions on mixing, application and the required interval after spraying until harvest. Prevention Irrigate plants with drip or soaker hoses or furrow irrigation to avoid wetting the foliage. Do not work among infected plants when they are wet.