Dark specks or dots appear in the center of the spots on susceptible varieties. These are usually fewer or absent on resistant varieties. Heavily infected leaves fall off, normally starting at the bottom of the plant and progressing upward. Fruit infection is rare. Disease Identification .
Similar diseases exhibit somewhat different symptoms.
Early blight causes large target-like spots near the stem of green or ripe fruit. Leaf spots caused by bacterial speck and bacterial spot are dark brown to black. They may have a yellow ring around them. These diseases cause dark specks or spots on the fruit. Use disease-free seeds and transplants.