How to Identify Leaf Spot on Tomatoes

You can avoid most tomato plant problems by recognizing them early and providing appropriate treatment. Septoria leaf spot, a common and destructive disease, is caused by fungus. It can develop on tomato plants at any stage in their growth.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Look for Septoria leaf spot on the undersides of the lower, older leaves, and the stems of the tomato plant. This is usually where Septoria leaf spot first occurs.

2. Examine the leaves for small, water-soaked, circular spots. These spots will either be white, tan or gray, and are typically 1/16 to 1/8 inch in diameter.

3. Check the center of the Septoria leaf spots; you will see many dark brown, pimply spots called pycnidia.

4. Notice that heavily infected leaves will turn yellow, dry up and eventually fall off. The defoliation process will result in sun scalding. Without enough leaves on the tomato plant, the tomatoes will be exposed to direct sunlight. This creates spotted, dessicated and shriveled tomatoes.

Resources

• Diagnose common tomato problems.

[frischy]

on 7/28/2009 What do you do about this problem?