Knowledgebase

Fungus on newly planted tomoato and pepper plants #867294

Asked May 06, 2024, 5:06 PM EDT

Can you help identify the fungus (?) on my tomato and pepper plants. Both were started from seed and looked fine before putting in the ground one week ago. No herbicides or pesticides have been used in this garden but a bit of worm compost was added when planting. Thanks for your help!

Baltimore County Maryland

Expert Response

We do not see indications of a fungal or pest issue on the pictured foliage. It does resemble cold damage and/or sunscald. Were the transplants acclimated to outdoor conditions for 1-2 weeks prior to planting them outside? If not, the shock of the change in conditions was the factor behind leaf damage. (Indoor window light or grow lights are nowhere near as intense as sunlight outside, and leaf tissue cannot adapt quickly to an increase in light intensity.) If the plants were acclimated, perhaps a chilly night (which have still been popping up in recent days) caused leaf damage. This should not affect long-term growth and the plants should gradually grow out of the damage. (Leaves cannot heal, but new growth should emerge normally after this cooler period passes.)

Miri

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