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General Tomato Disease and Pest Management
Bacterial canker ravages processing tomatoes, Learn how to recognize bacterial canker now to manage this disease in the future.
How to spot and stop diseases on greenhouse tomato seedlings: Stop diseases now on tomato seedlings and produce healthy transplants for the field, Mary Hausbeck, Michigan State University Extension.
Managing Perennial Weeds in Tomatoes, This Focus on Tomato webcast by Steve Weller at Purdue University summarizes different perennial weed types, shows examples of problem perennial weeds, and discusses techniques available for managing these weeds.
MSU’s Research results for bacterial canker in tomatoes, Research indicates it is best to manage canker before field planting tomatoes. Mary Hausbeck, Michigan State University Extension.
Protect tomato transplants in the greenhouse from bacterial diseases. Mary Hausbeck, Michigan State University Extension. Although some details are specific to Michigan, the general principles in this post apply to all tomato transplant production operations.
Protect tomato transplants in the greenhouse from fungal diseases. Mary Hausbeck, Michigan State University Extension. Although some details are specific to Michigan, the general principles in this post apply to all tomato transplant production operations.
Tomato Disease Guide – A Practical Guide for Seedsmen, Growers and Agricultural Advisors. Published by Seminis Vegetable Seeds, Inc.’s Plant Health Department.
Tomato Diseases Favored by High Tunnel Greenhouses (recorded webscast, Dec. 2013)
By Judson Reid, Extension Vegetable Specialist, Cornell University.
Diseases
Disease: Alternaria
Pathogen: Alternaria solani
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Photo Source: D.A. Inglis |
Online Resources:
Early Blight Management for Organic Tomato Production, eXtension.
Disease: Big bud
Pathogen: Beet leafhopper transmitted viresence agent (BLTVA), a phytoplasma, transmitted by the beet leafhopper, Circulifer tenellus
Host crops: Tomato and several other plant species, including potato.
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Photo Source: Phil Hamm, Oregon State University |
Online Resources:
Tomato: Tomato Big Bud, How to Manage Pests: UC Pest Management Guidelines, UC IPM Online, University of California
Virus Diseases and Disorders of Tomato: Big Bud, Vegetable MD Online, Cornell University
Disease: Buckeye rot
Pathogen: Non pathogenic disorder
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Photo Source: E. J. Sorensen |
Online Resources:
Disease: Curly top
Pathogen: Beet curly top virus (BCTV), vectored by the beet leafhopper Circulifer tenellus
Host crops: Numerous plant species including many vegetables such as bean, beet, carrot,eggplant, coriander, pepper, potato, tomato, and various cucurbits such as squash,cucumber, pumpkin, watermelon, etc.
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Photo Source: E. J. Sorensen | Photo Source: Phil Hamm, Oregon State University |
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Photo Source: Krishna Mohan, University of Idaho |
Online Resources:
Pacific Northwest Plant Disease Management Handbook: Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) – Curly Top
Tomato: Curly top (Beet curly top virus), Washington State University Hortsense
Curly Top Disease of Tomato, Plant Management Network International.
Disease: Late blight
Pathogen: Phytophthora infestans
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Photo Source: D.A. Inglis | Photo Source: Matt Tregoning, Sol to Seed Farm, Carnation, WA |
Online Resources:
Pacific Northwest Plant Disease Management Handbook: Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) – Late Blight
Organic Management of Late Blight of Potato and Tomato (Phytophthora infestans), eXtension.
Protect tomatoes in the greenhouse from late blight, Michigan State University.
Tomato: Late blight, Washington State University Hortsense
Problem: Leaf mold
Pathogen: Fulvia fulva (formerly Cladosporium fulvum)
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Very severe symptoms of leaf mold of tomato, caused by Fulvia fulva, in a hoophouse in western Washington as a result of high humidity caused by warm days and cool nights in late summer. | |||
Photo Source: Carol Miles, Washington State University | Photo Source: Sacha Buller, Washington State University Skagit Co. Extension Master Gardener Coordinator |
Online Resources:
Pacific Northwest Plant Disease Management Handbook: Greenhouse Plants, Tomato – Leaf Mold
Disease: Pythium rot
Pathogen: Pythium species
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Photo Source: E. J. Sorensen |
Online Resources:
Disease: Verticillium wilt
Pathogen: Verticillium species
Host crops: Numerous vegetables including many brassica vegetables (but not broccoli), cucumber, eggplant, pepper, potato, pumpkin, radish, spinach, tomato, watermelon, etc.
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Photo Source: D.A. Inglis | Photo Source: Lindsey du Toit |
Online Resources:
Tomato: Verticillium wilt, Washington State University Hortsense
See Diseases, pests, and other problems common to many vegetables: Verticillium wilt.
Disease: White mold
Pathogen: Sclerotinia species
Host crops: Bean, various brassica vegetables, carrot, eggplant, lettuce, potato, tomato, etc.
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Photo Source: E. J. Sorensen | Photo Source: Jenny Glass, WSU Puyallup PIDL |
Online Resources:
Pacific Northwest Plant Disease Management Handbook: Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) – White Mold
Tomato: White mold, Washington State University Hortsense
See Diseases, pests, and other problems common to many vegetables: White mold.
Insect/Mite Pests
Common Name: Flea beetle
Latin binomial: Pictured is the western potato flea beetle, Epitrix subcrinita, but the tuber flea beetle, Epitrix tuberis, may also damage foliage.
Host crops: Eggplant, pepper, potato, and tomato.
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Photo Source: Michael Bush, WSU Extension, Yakima, WA |
Online Resources:
Potato Flea Beetles: Biology and Control. Washington State University Extension Bulletin 1198E.
Pacific Northwest Insect Management Handbook. Chapter: Irish Potatoes, Section: Flea Beetle to Grasshopper.
Vegetables: Tomato: Flea beetles. Washington State University Hortsense.
See Diseases, pests, and other problems common to many vegetables: Flea beetle.
Common name (of damaging stage): Tomato hornworm
Latin binomial: Manduca quinquemaculata
Host crops: Pepper, eggplant, potato, and tomato.
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Photo Source: Michael Bush, WSU Extension, Yakima, WA |
Online Resources:
Pacific Northwest Insect Management Handbook. Washington State Chapter: Vegetables, Section: Tomato Part2: Fleabeetle to Wireworm.
Vegetables: Tomato: Tomato hornworm. Washington State University Hortsense.
UC Pest Management Guidelines: Tomato Hornworms. UC IPM Online, University of California.
Common name (of damaging stage): Western flower thrips
Latin binomial: Frankliniella occidentalis
Host crops: Basil, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Cucumber, Onion, Potato, Pumpkin, Squash, Tomato, and Watermelon.
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Photo Source: Michael Bush, WSU Extension, Yakima, WA |
Online Resources:
Western Flower Thrips Thysanoptera: Thripidae Frankiniella occidentalis.
Pacific Northwest Insect Management Handbook. Chapter: Vegetables, Section: Broccoli, Cabbage, Other Crucifers.
Pacific Northwest Insect Management Handbook. Chapter: Vegetables, Section: Cucumber (garden symphylan to wireworm).
Vegetables: Bean: Thrips. Washington State University Hortsense.
Vegetables: Broccoli, Cole crops: Thrips. Washington State University Hortsense.
See Diseases, pests, and other problems common to many vegetables: Western flower thrips.
Abiotic Problems Common to Tomato
Problem: 2,4-D herbicide injury
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Online Resources:
2,4-D on Tomato: Postemergence. Video of injury to a tomato plant from a postemergence application of the herbicide 2,4-D. Jerry L. Hill, Ed Peachey, Larry C. Burrill, and Craig Anderson, Oregon State University.
Problem: Blossom end rot
Cause: Calcium deficiency resulting from various environmental conditions and management practices, e.g., inadequate Ca in the soil, inconsistent water as a result of alternating wet and dry periods that decrease Ca uptake by plants, and even excellent growing conditions such as a period of very bright sunshine and warm temperatures mid-season.
Crops affected: Tomato, pepper, eggplant, and various cucurbits.
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Blossom-end rot is a physiological disorder that first appears as a water-soaked, light brown spot on the distil end of the fruit. As the fruit matures, the spot becomes sunken, leathery, and brown to black. Secondary pathogens can infect the area, causing fruit rot. The disorder is more common on earliest maturing fruit. Blossom end rot is associated with a low concentration of calcium in developing fruit. In eastern Washington, this is often caused by excessive soil moisture fluctuations, drought stress, or excessive nitrogen fertilization. Soil surface mulches, appropriate irrigation timing and frequency, soil amendment with limestone, and foliar applications of calcium may reduce the incidence of this disorder. | |||
Photo Source: Krishna Mohan, University of Idaho | Photo Source: Carol Miles, Washington State University | Photo Source: Mike Bush, WSU Yakima Co. Extension Educator |
Online Resources:
Blossom-end-rot on Tomatoes. By M. Ophardt, 2013. WSU Extension Garden Tips.
Blossom end rot: Understanding a perennial problem. Michigan State University Extension.
Blossom-End Rot of Tomato, Pepper, and Eggplant. By Miller, S.A., R. C. Rowe, and R. M. Riedel, The Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet HYG-3117-96.
Blossom-end Rot of Tomatoes. Oregon State University Extension Service Bulletin FS 139. By I.C. MacSwan, 2000. Oregon State University Extension Service Bulletin.
Vegetables: Tomato: Blossom-end Rot. Washington State University Hortsense.
See Diseases, pests, and other problems common to many vegetables: Blossom end rot of vegetables.
Problem: Parthenocarpy (secondary ovary formation) in tomato fruit
Cause: Various environmentally stressful conditions
Crops affected: Tomato and many other vegetables.
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Photo Source: Jenny Glass, WSU Puyallup |
Online Resources:
Parthenocarpy, Wikipedia
Problem: Physiological leaf roll
Cause: Various environmental conditions and management practices
Crops affected: Tomato and Potato.
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Photo Source: PNW VEG members |
Online Resources:
Physiological Leaf Roll of Tomato/Potato, Identification & Management of Emerging Vegetable Problems in the Pacific Northwest. Pacific Northwest Vegetable Extension Group.
Physiological Leaf Roll of Tomato, A Fact Sheet prepared by The Pacific Northwest Vegetable Extension Group
Problem: Vivipary (germination of seeds while still attached to the mother plant)
Crops affected: Solanaceaous vegetables like tomato and pepper.
Online Resources:
Effect of potassium nutrition during bell pepper seed development on vivipary and endogenous levels of abscisic acid (ABA).. By Marrush, M., M. Yamaguchi and M. E. Saltveit. 1998. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 123(5):925–930.
Physiological and Nutrient Disorders. University of Kentucky Vegetable Integrated Pest Management Program. Vegetable Manuals.
See Diseases, pests, and other problems common to many vegetables: Vivipary.