BLIGHT / FIRE BLIGHT

BACTERIAL BLIGHT
Common bacterial blight appears on leaves as small, water-soaked spots and/or light green areas which eventually turn brown. These irregularly shaped spots are bordered by a lemon-yellow ring, which is an identifying feature of blight. The spots may grow together, resulting in the death of the leaf and eventual defoliation of the entire plant. Heavily infected seed may shrivel and germinate poorly.
Like most bacterial diseases, common bacterial blight occurs in conditions of high moisture and humidity. Because of dry summers, this disease is not common in California.

FIREBLIGHT
Fireblight is a bacterial disease most often seen in ornamental pears. This systemic infection spreads most rapidly in warm, wet bloom periods from water splash, and on bees and ants moving from overwintering cankers to blossoms. Sporadic branches or the entire plant are killed, but infected plants may last for years.