As the spots expand, tissue surrounding the spots may turn yellow. ![]() These spots enlarge and concentric rings in a bull's-eye pattern are visible in the center of the diseased area. The fungus is first observed on the plants as small, brown lesions mostly on the older foliage. Photo credit: Penn State Master Gardener Program Low leaves that drip with morning dew provide perfect conditions for early blight.Įarly Blight. The fungus needs a wet surface to germinate and grow. Spores can spread to tomatoes in spring via wind or splashing rain. Prevalent throughout the United States, the fungus survives on infected debris in the soil, on seed and volunteer tomato plants, and other solanaceous hosts, such as Irish potato, eggplant, and black nightshade. Early blightĮarly Blight is caused by the fungus Alternaria solani, which is present worldwide wherever tomatoes are grown. Corn, an excellent rotation crop with tomatoes, supplies large amounts of organic matter and does not promote the growth of disease organisms that attack tomatoes. Ideally, any cover crop or crop preceding tomatoes should be members of the grass family. Tomatoes and related vegetables, such as potatoes, peppers, and eggplant, should not be planted in the same area more than once in three years. ![]() A good amount of organic matter will increase yield and reduce production problems. Tomatoes ( Solanum lycopersicum) can be grown in almost any moderately well-drained soil. Whether tomatoes are grown in pots, raised beds, or in a truck patch, homeowners need to be aware of tomato diseases.ĭisease can strike quickly and be difficult to diagnose. ![]() Of these, tomatoes win the prize as the most popular vegetable grown in backyard gardens across America. As vegetable gardeners, we look forward to harvesting armfuls of produce throughout the growing season.
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