Tomato Plant Diseases

There are 3 diseases that affect tomato plants that are very common. Being aware of these disease, how to prevent them, and how to treat them will ensure that you have a bumper crop of tomatoes.

Early Blight is a widespread disease in which the older, more susceptible lower leaves are the common initial site of infection (Source). It is caused by two types of fungi. Early blight flourishes when it is humid, rainy, or warm. The best way to prevent early blight is to plant blight resistant types, don't plant tomato plants in the same spot year after year (practice crop rotation), when watering try not to get the leaves wet, and take out all plants at the end of the season. If plants are infected don't compost, but either burn or bring to the landfill. For more information.

Late Blight spreads rapidly and is very destructive. It often means the end of the tomato plants, thus the end of tomato season. It spreads if the weather is cool and damp. The best way to prevent late blight is to buy resistant tomato plant varieties and if late blight is found in the garden the plants should be immediately removed and not composted. For more information.

Blossom End Rot is a very misunderstood disease. People think it just has to do with not enough calcium in the soil. Blossom end rot does have to do with the tomatoes not getting enough calcium, but it is because of watering issues. The best way to prevent this disease is to make sure tomato plants are evenly watered throughout the growing season. If you think your soil is lacking in calcium get a soil test done. This disease effects the fruit and the bottom of the tomato will be brown and sunken in. These tomatoes need to be thrown out. For more information.