Tomato diseases are one of the issues that bother growers. Although tomato bushes are very popular and willingly grown in home gardens, all kinds of infections can significantly reduce yields.
Tomato diseases can be insidious, so they require immediate action. In the initial stage, they develop in hiding, and the first visible symptoms appear when the infection covers larger parts of the plant. Delaying protective actions may cause intensification of losses, and even complete death of the bush.
Considering the above factors, the key activity in tomato cultivation is to regularly check the bushes for irregularities. How to recognize them? What should the breeder be concerned about? Below are the diseases of tomatoes that most often attack the bushes and how to combat them.
Diseases of tomatoes - potato blight
Potato blight (contrary to its name) is one of the most dangerous diseases of tomato bushes. In a short time, it attacks successive parts of the plant, which results in great havoc and, consequently, the loss of the entire bush. It is caused by the fungus Phytophthora infestans, and its control should be started immediately after noticing the first symptoms.
The emergence of the pathogen is favored by increased humidity and low temperatures. The ideal environment for the spread of the disease is cool and humid summer and close proximity to potatoes. That is why it is not recommended to plant these plants close to each other.
The first symptoms of the disease appear on the bushes around June. The characteristic symptoms are brown spots and a white coating on the underside of the leaves. Potato blight also affects fruits that have black spots that extend deep into the tomato.
HOW TO FIGHT AGAINST POTATO BLAST?
As with any disease, prevention is best. It is not always possible to completely eliminate the threat, but it is worth sticking to a few rules of care.
Tomatoes cannot be planted next to potatoes
Avoid getting the leaves and stems wet when watering
Before sowing, it is recommended to treat the seeds with special preparations, e.g. Polyversum WP or basalt meal
It is very important to keep the right spacing between the bushes.
You can start fighting potato blight with less invasive, natural methods. Nettle and field horsetail spraying is a frequently used method. Planting tomatoes in the company of sage and lavender, the aroma of which reduces the appearance of the pathogen, also helps.
If the above methods prove to be ineffective, it will be necessary to use specialized plant protection products. Amistar 250 SC, Signum 33 WG, Miedzian 50 WP, Polyram 70 WG cope well with late blight. Fungicides can be used interchangeably and always in accordance with the instructions on the packaging.
Diseases of tomatoes - dry leaf spot
Dry leaf blotch, also known as tomato alternariosis, is an infection caused by the fungus Alternaria solani. Like the blight described above, dry leaf blotch is usually transmitted from neighboring potatoes. It develops a bit later, in August, and the most favorable conditions for infection are high temperatures, exceeding 25°C, and increased humidity.
Initially, it appears on the leaves, then quickly takes over the remaining parts of the bush. Typical of the disease are dark brown spots, limited by leaf veins, up to 2 cm in size. The next stage is the drying and crumbling of spots, yellowing and dying of leaves and the appearance of dark spots located at the peduncle. The fruits begin to rot, and the bushes wither and die.
HOW TO FIGHT DRY LEAF SPOT?
Plant tomato plants away from potatoes
Treat the seeds before sowing and absolutely do not sow infected, poor quality seeds
Water the substrate around the bush, avoiding wetting the leaves
Disinfect support stakes and garden tools
Tomatoes should not be grown at the location of the pathogen for several consecutive seasons.
Chemical agents helpful in the fight against dry leaf spot in tomatoes include Revus 250 SC, Ridomil Gold and Curzate CU 49.5 WG.
Diseases of tomatoes - bacterial mottling
Bacterial mottling is a disease caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae and is a real nuisance to growers. The main reason is the ease and speed with which it spreads among the bushes, as well as the great difficulty in eliminating the problem.
A characteristic symptom of the appearance of the disease are brown or black spots, attacking almost the entire bush. These lesions can affect both leaves, stems and fruits, which significantly reduces their taste.
HOW TO FIGHT BACTERIAL SPOT ON TOMATO?
The greatest threat to shrubs are mainly undisinfected gardening tools, although the bacterium will gladly use gusts of wind and rainfall to move. Since reversing the effects of the disease is difficult, prevention and preventive spraying are key in this case.
To combat the disease, mainly chemical preparations, i.e. Miedzian 50 WP and Miedzian Extra 350 SC, will work. You can also try a natural remedy, e.g. nettle manure, but its effectiveness may be insufficient.
Another dangerous disease of tomatoes, i.e. gray mold caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea, which mainly affects shrubs grown under cover. The infection develops best at temperatures around 15°C and high humidity.
The disease occupies almost the entire above-ground part of the bush, covering it with a gray bloom. If you also notice gray-green spots on the leaves and stems, and watery and soft fragments on the fruit, you are most likely dealing with gray mold.
HOW TO FIGHT AGAINST GRAY MOLD?
As with other diseases, it is very important to take steps to prevent and reduce the possibility of tomato gray mold. First of all, you need to ensure that the tunnel is properly ventilated, maintain proper humidity and ensure air circulation.
The preparations used to protect tomatoes against gray mold are primarily Switch 62.5 WG, Signum 33 WG and Amistar Opti 480 SC.
The above-mentioned tomato protection products can be found in the Gardenowo store. Remember that only a quick reaction will stop dangerous tomato diseases, so do not hesitate and order the right preparation today.
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