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Fusarium wilt in tomatoes #867378

Asked May 07, 2024, 9:46 AM EDT

Could you identify the problem with my tomato plants? Only affecting heirlooms right now.

Baltimore City County Maryland

Expert Response

This resembles symptoms of Septoria Leaf Spot, but that is not a disease we tend to see manifesting symptoms or causing damage this early in the season. Fusarium Wilt manifests differently than this. Are the tomato plants in the ground now, in a home greenhouse, or still indoors? Were they purchased recently from a garden center as transplants or older plants, or started from seed indoors earlier in the year?

If this is Septoria, remove the worst-affected leaves (especially lower leaves) and consider treating the plants with a copper-based fungicide, as noted in the linked page above. It won't be able to cure existing disease, but may help to prevent infection on still-healthy younger growth. Follow label directions for use, since several re-applications will likely be needed.

There is a chance this is not fungal at all but rather environmental stress damage, like from cold nights. If so, the plant will outgrow the damage without any need for intervention.

Miri
Thank you for the quick response. The plants are in the ground. They were purchased from Home Depot. I got other tomato  plants from Radebaughs Florist which are not showing this problem. I’ll try the copper based fungicide. 

Barb

On Tue, May 7, 2024 at 1:21 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied May 07, 2024, 1:50 PM EDT

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