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Tomato leaves #874824

Asked June 26, 2024, 2:49 PM EDT

The mature leaves on my tomato plants are curling up and appear disfigured. What is wrong? What do I need to do to to fix/prevent?

Douglas County Minnesota

Expert Response

Hi,

This looks like herbicide damage. If the damage is light, plants may outgrow it.

https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/tomato-disorders

https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-news/noticing-herbicide-drift-your-garden

I hope this helps. Good luck.

MJ Replied June 26, 2024, 7:43 PM EDT

No herbicide has been used near the plants. I have had this same issue for the last couple of years. New leaves emerge nicely, than they transform. I get  tomatoes  but the plants look terrible.


On Wed, Jun 26, 2024, 6:44 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied June 26, 2024, 8:16 PM EDT

Leaf curling can be linked to too much water, insects, disease and herbicide drift or residue.
Do you know what was here before you put the garden in? Herbicides can linger in soil, and in manure composts or hay used in gardens.

I can't offer a firm diagnosis but you know the history of this garden, whether you've added soil amendments or fertilizer, when you planted and what weather has been like since you put the tomatoes in. Remember that it's wise to move your tomatoes each year so they're not growing in the same place, where diseases can linger.

I hope these pages might lead you to an answer:

https://site.extension.uga.edu/bartow/twisted-curled-tomato-leaves-its-not-what-you-think/

https://extension.sdstate.edu/why-are-my-tomato-leaves-curled

https://www.montana.edu/cope/email-format/admin/view.php?draft=12643&uid=64d129a8dec491.28541207

https://backbonevalleynursery.com/tomato-leaf-curl-2/

Good luck.

MJ Replied June 26, 2024, 8:50 PM EDT

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