Yeah, that's an easy one for me to diagnose since my plants' lower leaves look like that pretty often... welcome to thrip heaven. That's why I wanted a thrip assasin 'bot!
Neem oil and Diatomaceous Earth will keep it under control.
The paleness could be either low N or just not enough light getting to the low leaves. But I can't tell for sure- is the soil wicked wet? Any nutrient problems you may be having, soaked dirt makes them worse.

To keep on track, another thing I want in my dream garden is a generator run by a million hamsters running on a million wheels, making CO2 and being fueled by eating trimmings!