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What's attacking my tomatoes?

9 years ago

What causes this kind of damage on tomatoes? Sometimes it starts with the skin of the fruit rupturing and sometimes the spots appear first. Is there any way to stop this?

Comments (9)

  • 9 years ago

    Looks like Anthracnose, a fungul disease of tomatoes. You may also be seeing symptoms on the plant leaves, not just the fruit. Cure is impossible since the disease developed when the fruit was still green but doesn't show up until it ripens. By the regular use of fungicide of your choice can reduce it on still green fruit.

    http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/factsheets/Tomato_Anth.htm

    Dave

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I'd have to guess spotted wilt virus. Might scope that out. Necrotic spots like that are one giveaway. No cure. Destroy the plants. Thrips are vectors, so try to manage them.

    Just saw Dave's answer. That might be a better one.

  • 9 years ago

    I only have two plants (the cherry tomatoes I have next to them haven't been affected) so I'm planning on harvesting the tomatoes as soon as they begin ripening and before the holes get awful because so far the fruit still seems edible. I've spent so much money on these two tomatoes so far that buying fungicide when the fungus isn't curable seems like a waste :/

  • 9 years ago

    Anthracnose, not virus.

  • 9 years ago

    That is anthracnose. Fairly commonplace here and a bit of an annoyance, and it seems to hit some varieties harder than others. Seems to be worse when conditions are wet, humid for prolonged periods.

  • 9 years ago

    This summer in the south has been extremely wet and humid so I'm not surprised they got attacked. The plants that got attacked are ones that I started from store bought tomatoes and the cherry tomatoes I'm growing from actual bought seeds seem to be doing fine so I'm sure the hybrids just weren't grown to be disease resistant :/

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I don't use fungicides, so every year I get that on some of my tomatoes. That example in the photo is worse than what I usually get here in Tn. I just cut it off. Doesn't seem to affect taste, but you have to use those fruits first or the damage gives place for rot to develop quickly.

  • 9 years ago

    Yeah I've been cutting them off and the taste seems fine. That particular fruit was one of the worse ones because I wanted to confirm what it was but now I know to pull them a little earlier

  • 9 years ago

    "I've spent so much money on these two tomatoes so far that buying fungicide when the fungus isn't curable seems like a waste :/"

    "The plants that got attacked are ones that I started from store bought tomatoes and the cherry tomatoes I'm growing from actual bought seeds seem to be doing fine so I'm sure the hybrids just weren't grown to be disease resistant :/"

    Just to clear up apparent misunderstandings here. First, fungus infections are not curable true, but they can easily be prevented and can also be slowed down with the use of fungicides. There are many effective fungicides, both organic and synthetic, that when used correctly from the day of plant out prevent fungus diseases. It is your choice whether to use them or not of course but if you have chronic annual infections, especially Anthracnose, it is worth giving it some thought.

    Second, good garden and surrounding area hygiene plays a major role in preventing the spread of fungus diseases. They can often over-winter easily on surrounding weeds and plant debris. Sheltered garden areas with less than ideal air circulation are more prone to developing these diseases. Anthracnose is the least common of the common tomato diseases and if it is a chronic problem for you then off-season intervention may be necessary.

    Third, store-bought or seed grown makes no difference. Fungus spores are air borne and indiscriminately latch onto ANY tomato variety or type then simply lie dormant until the climate conditions trigger them into growth. No variety or type is truly resistant to them although a few thicker skin varieties seem to tolerate them a little better.

    Dave

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