Recognizing tomato problems

Recognizing Tomato Problems

by B. Edmunds and L. Pottorff 1 (5/09)

Quick Facts...

 Tomatoes are an easy and popular vegetable to grow.

 Tomato problems may be caused by nutrient deficiencies, diseases, fungi or Insects.
 Assess the symptoms, then make the appropriate treatment.
 Good cultural practices can reduce or eliminate many problems.

Despite the short growing season in many areas of Colorado, tomatoes are an easy and popular vegetable to
grow. For healthy tomatoes:

 Improve garden soil by adding organic material such as compost.

 Use disease-resistant varieties.
 Eliminate competition from weeds.
 Keep the plant growing vigorously with proper water and nutrients.
 Keep the garden clean of plant debris.
 Rotate crops.
 Space plants for maximum air circulation.
 Monitor for pests.

Failure to follow one or more of these steps can lead to pest problems.

To manage pests, identify the source of the problem by assessing the

symptoms. The key in Table 1 will help you narrow down the cause. It is Figure 1: Phosphorous deficiency.
organized by affected plant parts: leaves, stems, roots and fruit.
Figure 2: Psyllid damage.
Common Tomato Problems
Figure 3: Evidence of flea beetles.
Phosphorus deficiencies (Figure 1) occur early in the growing season when
soil is still cool. Phosphorus is abundant in our soils but may be unavailable to Figure 4: Tomato hornworm.
the plant when the soil is too cold. Don't plant tomatoes too early in the
season. Use plastic mulch to warm the soil. Once soil temperatures rise, the Figure 5: Symptoms of early
problem usually corrects itself. blight.

Curly top virus is transmitted by the beet leafhopper. This problem is Figure 6: Aphids.
common in western Colorado but seldom found in eastern Colorado. Infected
plants turn yellow and stop growing. Upper leaflets roll and develop a
purplish color, especially along the veins. Leaves and stems become stiff; fruit ripens prematurely. It is difficult
to control because leafhoppers migrate from southern areas. Hot, dry springs with predominantly southwest
winds usually indicate increased problems with this disease. No chemical controls are effective. Use row covers
to protect tomato plants from the leafhopper.

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Psyllids (Figure 2) are more commonly found in eastern Colorado and are seldom a problem in western
Colorado. They feed on tomato or potato plant sap and inject a toxic saliva that causes the characteristic "psyllid
yellows." Leaves turn yellow; veins often turn purple. Stems may become distorted, giving the bush a zig-zag
appearance. To confirm psyllids, check the undersides of leaves for nymphs. Nymphs are about the size of an
aphid. At first, they are yellow, then they turn green. They are sedentary while feeding and secrete small, white
granules that resemble sugar. For best control, dust the foliage, especially the undersides, with sulfur. See Fact
Sheet 5.540, Potato and Tomato Psyllids.

Flea beetles (Figure 3) are small, black or brown beetles that jump when disturbed. The adults chew small holes
or pits in leaves. Wounded tissue may be more susceptible to diseases such as early blight. Most plants outgrow
flea beetle damage. insecticides such as cabaryl or permethrin are effective controls, if needed. See 5.592, Flea
Beetles.

Tomato or tobacco hornworms (Figure 4) are large, green or gray-green caterpillars with white to tan v-
shaped or dashed markings on their sides. A green to reddish horn protrudes from the hind end. They are
voracious feeders, stripping leaves from stems and even eating unripe fruit. Pick them off by hand. The
caterpillars are susceptible to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), as well as to many common vegetable insecticides.

Early blight (Alternaria leaf spot) (Figure 5) is caused by the fungus Alternaria solani. Symptoms become
prevalent during the hotter months. This disease produces brown to black, target-like spots on older leaves. If
severe, the fungus also attacks stems and fruit. Affected leaves may turn yellow, then drop, leaving the fruit
exposed to sunburn. Sanitation is the best control. Remove all diseased plant tissue on the ground, as the fungus
overwinters on leaf debris. Do not plant tomatoes in the same place next year. Space plants farther apart to
improve air circulation. Avoid overhead irrigation. If the infestation is heavy, sulfur dust may help protect new
leaves from infection.

Septoria leaf spot is less common in Colorado than early blight. It, too, is a fungal disease. Characteristic
symptoms are white or gray spots on leaves, surrounded by a black or brown margin. Control is similar to early
blight.

Whiteflies and aphids (Figure 6) both cause leaf yellowing and leave a characteristic sticky excrement called
honeydew. Leaves appear shiny and are somewhat sticky when honeydew is present. Damage usually is
minimal on tomatoes and often can be ignored. If aphids become a problem, some applications of insecticidal
soap are quite effective.

Cucumber mosaic virus and herbicide injury are almost impossible to tell
apart without previous knowledge of chemicals applied or laboratory
confirmation. Cucumber mosaic virus causes tomato plants to yellow and
become bushy and stunted. Leaves may be mottled. The virus most often is
carried in tomato seeds. Mechanical transmission by workers touching plants
and movement by aphid carriers can occur, but this is much less common in
tomatoes than in cucurbits. Remove and destroy plants. There are no chemical
controls.

Fusarium wilt and Fusarium crown rot symptoms (Figure 7) begin as

yellowing of older leaves. With Fusarium crown rot, the leaves often turn
brown or black and eventually wilt. With Fusarium wilt, the yellow leaves
turn downward and droop. Fusarium oxysporum, the cause of both diseases, is

Figure 7: Fusarium wilt.

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a common tomato fungus that lives in the plant's vascular system, which carries water from the roots to the
leaves. To see if either of these diseases is present:

 Check watering practices. Both over- and underwatering can mimic disease symptoms.
 Check the roots. Discolored roots indicate root rot.
 Cut the lower or main stem and look inside at the vascular tissue. Fusarium wilt causes a dark brown
discoloration within the vascular tissue. Fusarium crown rot causes a rot or canker at the base of the
stem and possibly a root rot.

Most tomato seeds or transplants are labeled with a code such as "VFN," "VFNA," "VFNT," etc. This indicates
that the plants are resistant to Verticillium wilt (V), Fusarium wilt (F), southern root-knot nematode (N), early
blight (A), or tobacco (tomato) mosaic virus (T). Verticillim wilt and root knot nematodes rarely cause a
problem in Colorado, but if you have had a Fusarium wilt problem in the past, it would be a good idea to choose
a variety labeled 'F'. Do not plant tomatoes, potatoes or eggplant in the affected area for two or three years. No
fungicides are labeled for control.

Bacterial canker (Figure 8) occurs sporadically in Colorado. Symptoms

begin with lower leaves turning downward. Dark to light brown streaks may
develop on the leaf midribs and eventually extend down the petiole to form a
canker on the stem. There may be vascular discoloration. Symptoms on fruit
are small, white, scabby, raised lesions, often described as "bird's eye." This
disease is difficult to distinguish from other tomato diseases and may need
laboratory confirmation. If identified, destroy the plants. Do not compost plant Figure 8: Bacterial canker.
material. Do not plant tomatoes, potatoes or eggplant in the same soil for two
to three years. Figure 9: Tomato spotted
wilt/impatiens necrotic spot.
Tomato spotted wilt/impatiens necrotic spot tospoviruses (TSWV or
INSV) (Figure 9) has traditionally been a problem in commercial tomato
production. Recently, however, the disease has increasingly been found in home gardens. Symptoms begin as
dark brown to purple spots on leaves. The dark areas spread to stems, forming cankers. Stem streaking also may
be noticed. Wilting symptoms gradually develop as the disease spreads.

However, the leaf tissue is stiff, not limp. The most noticeable symptoms are yellow rings or spots on fruit.
Fruit may be distorted. TSWV and INSV are moved from plant to plant by western flower thrips. The only way
to manage the disease is to remove and destroy affected plants. Thrips are extremely difficult to control. Trials
with soaps, oils and sulfur dust have not yielded good results. For more information, see 2.947, Greenhouse
Plant Viruses (TSWV/INSV) .

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Root rot can be caused by several fungi. However, poor soil drainage and overwatering are always involved.
For home gardeners, control of a potential root rotting fungus is almost impossible. Therefore, management of
root rot requires soil improvement, proper watering, and rotation of tomatoes. Plant tomatoes and related
species in the same garden spot only once every three years.

Catfacing (Figure 10) is a term that describes tomato fruit that is misshapen,
with scars and holes in the blossom end. The cause is thought to be cold
weather during blossoming and perhaps high levels of nitrogen. To manage it, Figure 10: Catfacing.
avoid setting out transplants too early in the season.
Figure 11: Blossom end rot.

Figure 12: Sunscald on tomato

fruit.
Blossom end rot (Figure 11) begins as light tan, water-soaked lesions on the
blossom end of the fruit. These lesions enlarge and turn black and leathery.
The cause is thought to be a combination of cold temperatures or excessive
heat during blossom set, and fluctuations in water supply. When these two factors occur simultaneously,
calcium often becomes unavailable to the plant. Hence, a calcium deficiency occurs during fruit formation. To
manage the problem, fertilize and water properly. Avoid setting out transplants too early in the season. Use
mulch to help reduce fluctuations in moisture levels.

Stink bugs cause spots and internal damage to tomato fruit by their feeding. Adults are shield-shaped and
brown or green, with red, pink or yellow markings. They release an offensive odor when handled. Control
weeds around the tomato patch, as these insects overwinter in such areas. Stink bug damage on green fruit
appears as dark pinpricks surrounded by a light, discolored area. As fruit ripens, these spots may remain green
or turn yellow. The tissue underneath is white and spongy. Cavities may form under the damaged skin.

Sunscald (Figure 12) is common on fruit exposed to too much sun. This problem often occurs when infestations
of hornworms are high and defoliation or pruning of leaves is heavy. To help control sunscald, shade the plant
and reduce the fruit's exposure to the sun.

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Green/yellow shoulders develop on ripening fruit, possibly due to high temperatures. Chlorophyll in this area
is slow to break down and results in a patch that remains green or turns yellow but not red. This problem may
affect the entire shoulder or only a small, irregular patch. Shade the plant and take other precautions to reduce
the fruit's exposure to the sun.

Table 1: Key to the identification of tomato problems.

LEAVES
Purple leaves:
Leaves with purple veins and overall purplish tint. Phosphorus deficiency
Early season, cool temperatures. No insects present
Leaflets roll upward and develop a purplish color, Curly top virus
especially along the veins
Yellowed leaves:
Slight distortion, purpling of veins. Zigzag stem and Psyllids
branching pattern. Check underside of leaves for
insects
infected plants turn yellow and soon stop growing Curly top virus
Small holes, approximately 0.5 mm Flea beetle
Chewing injury on leaves. Tomato/tobacco hornworm
Black or dark brown spots. Lesions have margins or Early blight (Alternaria)
concentric rings. Lower leaves commonly affected
Spots on leaves with white or gray centers surrounded Septoria leaf spot
by dark black or brown margins
Honeydew produced and white insects fly away black, Whiteflies
rosy or green insects present Aphids
Leaf scorching. Check watering, ambient temperature, salts, etc.
No signs of insect or disease present. Check stems, roots and vascular system.
Vascular system discolored. See wilting section.
Distorted leaves:
Curling, shoestringing, cupping and herbicides applied Herbicide injury
recently plants stunted, no herbicides applied Cucumber mosaic virus
Wilted leaves: (Check roots for rot and cut the stem to look inside the stem tissue.)
Vascular streaking evident along entire length of stem Fusarium wilt
Vascular streaking evident only in the crown (first 12 Fusarium crown rot
inches of stem)
Lower leaves turn down, leaf edges brown Bacterial canker
Leaf spotting, concentric rings and necrotic (dead) leaf Tomato spotted wilt
margins may or may not be present, leaf tissue stiff, virus/impatiens necrotic spot
not flaccid virus
No vascular streaking. Check roots and soil moisture.
Roots discolored, mushy. See root section.
STEMS
Black or dark cankers on stem. (Submit samples to a Early blight (Alternaria), tomato
diagnostic clinic for confirmation) spotted wilt virus/impatiens

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necrotic spot virus, bacterial

canker
ROOTS
Roots discolored, mushy. Check soil moisture and Root rot caused by one of several
watering common fungi
FRUIT
Spots, circles or blotches:
Ring spots on fruit Tomato spotted wilt
virus/impatiens necrotic spot
virus
Dark pinpricks surrounded by a light, discolored area Stink bug feeding
on green fruit. These areas turn yellow or remain green
on ripe fruit. The tissue under the spots is white and
spongy and remains firm as the fruit ripens
White, leathery areas Sunscald
Blotches on the shoulder of the fruit Green/yellow shoulders
Small, white to yellow, raised blotches on fruit, often Bacterial canker
called bird's eye
Distorted:
Yellowing or not, with necrotic areas or not Catfacing
Blossom end flattened and black Blossom end rot
Yellowing Psyllids
Ring spots on fruit Tomato spotted wilt
virus/impatiens necrotic spot
virus
Contact your Colorado State University Extension county office for more information or
for help identifying problems.

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Colorado State University Extension regional specialist, commercial greenhouse and nurseries, Adams County. Originally written by
Laura Pottorff, former plant pathologist and horticulturist, Integrated Pest Management Program, Jefferson County. 6/00. Reviewed
5/09.

Colorado State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Colorado counties cooperating. Extension programs are available to all
without discrimination. No endorsement of products mentioned is intended nor is criticism implied of products not mentioned.