Learn how to grow tomatoes the right way...

Tomato diseases

Tomato diseases can be prevented if we cultivate healthy growing practices. Preparing the soil, watering properly, and feeding appropriately are all methods that lead to tomato disease prevention. An ideal soil for tomatoes would be a well draining soil which is filled with plenty of organic matter. Tomato roots grow deep into the soil and it stabilizes the plants and then take up water. The tomato plants should be grown in well prepared soil and should be watered well and it should also be done in frequently in every 4 to 6 days. This technique will ensure that the tomato plant gets enough water, without putting the plant at risk of being over wet. The tomato plants should be prune in order to provide air flow through the leaves and branches. Conduct a soil test for finding out whether your tomato plants receive proper nutrition or not. All the above tips will help you towards fighting off diseases and pests.

If you have followed the prevention method and yet you find your tomato plants suffering from some kind of tomato disease, then in such a situation you need to diagnose the problem. Tomatoes are likely to suffer from pest problems, nutrition problems, virus and even fungal problems. Pest causes physical damage to tomato plants. For example: Cut worms actually cut off the plant from its root system which causes the plant to wilt and die. Aphid causes damage to the tomato plant by creating a sticky residue on the plant. Then we have caterpillars who bury into fruit and eat them, causing fruit to rot. In the case of while flies and spider mites, they are easily visible on the leaves. It becomes easier to diagnose pest problems because most pests are easily seen on the plant. Also, tomato plants suffer from nutrition problems.

There are varieties of nutrients which the tomato absorbs from the soil. However, deficiencies in each nutrient can cause specific symptoms in the plant. For example: Excess Nitrogen causes deep green, lush, leafy plants with little fruit. Nitrogen deficiency leads to yellowing of lower leaves. Also, when tomato plants suffer from calcium deficiency, it causes blossom end rot. Nutrition problems can be seasonal or soil related. However, a soil test will help to determine what nutrients are lacking in the soil. Tomato diseases are caused by viruses, bacteria and fungus. Each problem that is caused to the tomato is shown in different ways. For example: Leaf mosaic viruses cause the leaves to have mosaic like patterns on them. Also, leaf spots, mildew, fruit rot and cankers which are growths on stems, are all problems caused by tiny organisms. ‘Early blight’ is one type of tomato disease, which affects the tomato foliage, the fruits and the stems. Due to the Alternaria solani fungus, the leaves of the tomato plant have dark spots with concentric rings. A bulls-eye pattern is developed. In such a case, the affected tomato plants must be removed. Use a resistant tomato cultivar and rotate the crops. Another common tomato disease is the “Late blight”, which is caused by the Phytophthora infestans fungus. The leaves that are affected start having irregular gray spots. If the weather is damp, then a white mold is likely to appear around the spots. You should ensure that there is adequate spacing between the tomato plants and ovoid overhead watering, mostly in the afternoon or evening. Viral, bacterial and fungal problems can be treated by using a combination of gardening techniques and soil and plant drenches and sprays. But use safety methods while applying any pesticide.
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