The author of this article, Dan Egel, retired from Purdue University in February 2024. This article is a brief review of the symptoms of foliar diseases of tomatoes in greenhouses or high tunnels. Remember that foliar diseases of tomatoes that are observed in greenhouses or high tunnels are different than those found in the field….Read more about Foliar Diseases of Tomato in Greenhouses[Read More]
Solanaceous Crops
We received calls reporting observations of leaf curling on tomatoes. This article reviews factors contributing to the symptom. It was updated from an article published in June 2020, Issue 676. In a similar way as other vegetables, hot and dry conditions may cause leaf curling on tomatoes. In late spring and early summer, plants that…Read more about Tomato Leaf Curling[Read More]
Tomatoes grown in a controlled environment are exposed to different conditions from their original habitats. As a result, some plants may respond to the controlled environment with abnormal symptoms. Leaf and stem curling and distortion are symptoms we may see in the early season in greenhouses (Figure 1). This symptom might be caused by ethylene…Read more about Leaf and Stem Curling on Young Tomato Plants[Read More]
Tell us about your opinions on vegetable grafting practices All growers are eligible whether you use vegetable grafting practices or not. Researchers at the University of Florida, in collaboration with Clemson University, North Carolina State University, The Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, Kansas State University, Washington State University, University of Arizona, University of California, Davis, and USDA – Agricultural Research…Read more about Vegetable Grafting Survey[Read More]
We are getting close to the time of year when I begin to get phone calls about strange symptoms on tomato plants in greenhouses. Too often, the problem is ethylene damage. Read on to find out how to avoid this problem. Tomato plants with ethylene damage often have leaves that are curled down and stems…Read more about Ethylene Damage on Tomato[Read More]
Phytophthora blight caused by the pathogen Phytophthora capsici is one of the most important diseases in pepper production (Figure 1). The disease is difficult to control once established in a field. Using host resistance is an important approach in managing this disease. In past years, Rutgers Cooperative Extension has evaluated new bell pepper cultivars and…Read more about Bell Pepper Varieties for Phytophthora Resistance[Read More]
Over the last few years, we’ve heard of 2 or 3 unusual cases of high tunnel tomato producers losing entire crops of their tomatoes, with plants suddenly looking brown and covered in leaf mines/tunnels (Figure 1). After collecting specimens, we’ve confirmed the very hungry and tiny culprit is the caterpillar of the tomato pinworm (Keiferia…Read more about Lookout for Tomato Pinworm: a Rare but Very Hungry Caterpillar that can Devastate Tomatoes[Read More]
Bacterial canker has been observed in late season tomato crops. This article will serve as a review of this important disease. The symptoms of bacterial canker vary considerably. In most cases, the edges of the leaves may turn yellow and/or brown. That is, the margins of the leaves may become chlorotic and/or necrotic (Figure 1)….Read more about Bacterial Canker of Tomato[Read More]
In 2015 and 2018, I observed Cercospora leaf mold of tomato in high tunnel operations. In Hotline articles in those years, I noted that Cercospora leaf mold is normally a subtropical disease. This disease has again been observed in 2021 on tomatoes in high tunnels. I’m still not certain of the importance of this disease…Read more about Tomato Leaf Mold Diseases[Read More]
Listed below are select foliar diseases of tomato. Early blight and Septoria leaf blight These diseases are listed together because, from a few paces away, the diseases appear similar. And the management for these diseases is similar. Together these diseases are probably the most common diseases of tomatoes in the field. One of the most…Read more about Foliar Diseases of Tomato[Read More]