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wildhaven_gw

Definitve way to identify CMV vs Herbicide Damage?

10 years ago

I've spent the last couple of days trying to determine if my tomatoes are affected by CMV or if the neighbor behind me sprayed something that hit the tomatoes particularly hard. The leaves have the typical curled, stunted, weird look, though the plants are otherwise healthy looking. They're a bit small yet, but still bigger than when planted, with green leaves and no mottling/discoloration. The problem is there seems to be no reliable sign to say one way or the other if it's disease or herbicide, and I can't decide if I should yank them and buy whatever is left at the garden center, or give them some time.


Of note - I grew these tomatoes from seed, and they were communally watered in the same tubs as a batch of tomatoes I gave to my mother. Hers are fine, no sign of leaf troubles. I did add some compost and topsoil to the new garden beds, but she used the exact same stuff in building up a new flower bed and her plants are fine. The only thing that is questionable is one variety of tomato took forever to come up from seed and the leaves were always a little different looking, but nothing like what is growing now. And again, they were communal with tomatoes that are fine in a different location.


So... is there one definite thing I can look at to judge either way? If it is herbicide damage, are the fruits safe to eat? I have peppers and beans planted alongside the tomatoes, and so far they look all right. I'll get pictures tomorrow if that will be of help, but they really could be any of the photos already posted of herbicide damage. I just wish I knew for sure so I'm not wasting the space.

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