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Do my tomatoes have herbicide damage? #873972

Asked June 20, 2024, 4:04 PM EDT

Hello, I recently purchased 3 yards of topsoil compost blend for my raised beds. I am now noticing issues with tomatoes I translated into the raised beds. See photos. Looking online it seems like it could be herbicide damage, aminopyralid, from the compost topsoil blend, but I am not sure.

Midland County Michigan

Expert Response

Hi Mathias, thanks for the question.

This does look like herbicide injury. A virus or disease would not affect multiple plants at the same time.  Overspray, drift, or volatilization of herbicides could very likely be the cause.  Volatilization can affect plants up to a mile away.  Recent high temperatures make volatilization more of a problem. Nearby farm fields or lawn service work can be the source. Sprayer contamination can also cause the problem. Check out the following links:

Reducing Herbicide Damage in the Landscape | Home & Garden Information Center (clemson.edu)

Herbicide Drift and Drift Related Damage (psu.edu)

Noticing herbicide drift in your garden? | UMN Extension

I hope this is helpful.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 21, 2024, 8:38 AM EDT

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