Tomatoes - Knowledgebase Question

east norwich, Ne
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Question by lablowers81
August 28, 2008
The leaves started looking spotty from the bottom up. I pulled them off but the tomatoes died on the vine. The same thing happened last year. I replanted in the same place. There is also a rose tree that is very close that dropped all its leaves at about the same time.


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Answer from NGA
August 28, 2008
What you describe sounds like early blight of tomatoes. Early blight of tomato, caused by the fungus Alternaria solani, is perhaps the most common foliar disease of tomatoes in the Northeast and is also common on potatoes. This disease causes direct losses by the infection of fruits and indirect losses by reducing plant vigor. Fruit from defoliated plants are also subject to sunscald.

Alternaria spores germinate within 2 hours over a wide range of temperatures but at 80 to 85oF may only take 1/2 hour. Another 3 to 12 hours are required for the fungus to penetrate the plant depending on temperature. After penetration, lesions may form within 2-3 days or the infection can remain dormant awaiting proper conditions (60oF and extended periods of wetness). Alternaria sporulates best at about 80oF when abundant moisture (as provided by rain, mist, fog, dew, irrigation) is present. Infections are most prevalent on poorly nourished or otherwise stressed plants.

Early blight produces a wide range of symptoms at all stages of plant growth. It can cause damping-off, collar rot, stem cankers, leaf blight, and fruit rot. The classic symptoms occur on the leaves where circular lesions up to 1/2" in diameter are produced. Within these lesions dark, concentric circles can be seen. The leaf blight phase usually begins on the lower, older leaves and progresses up the plant. Infected leaves eventually wither, die, and fall from the plant.

The fungus spends the winter in infected plant debris in or on the soil where it can survive at least one and perhaps several years. It can also be seed borne. New spores are produced the following season. The spores are transported by water, wind, insects, other animals including man, and machinery. Once the initial infections have occurred, they become the most important source of new spore production and are responsible for rapid disease spread. For this reason it is important to rotate your crops, especially not planting tomatoes in the same spot year after year.

To control, remove and destroy crop residue at the end of the season. Practice crop rotation to non-susceptible crops (3 years). Promote good air circulation by proper spacing of plants. Orient rows in the direction of prevailing winds, avoid shaded areas, and avoid wind barriers. Irrigate early in the day to promote rapid drying of foliage. Healthy plants with adequate nutrition are less susceptible to the disease. Minimize plant injury and the spread of spores by controlling insect feeding. Hand picking diseased foliage may slow the rate of disease spread but should not be relied on for control. Do not work in a wet garden. Use resistant or tolerant varieties.

Good luck with your tomatoes next year!

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