What tomatoes are sick with and how to treat them

Even the most experienced gardeners and farmers from time to time encounter diseases or pests of crops, and in particular - tomatoes. There are several causes of tomato diseases: insufficient or excessive nutrition, fungal, viral, bacterial infections. If these problems are not eliminated in time, the yield may decrease, and the plant may even die.

In our article, we will analyze the most common tomato diseases and how to deal with them, as well as find out how to prevent diseases.

Causes of tomato diseases in the greenhouse

Tomatoes are grown in greenhouses to protect plants from drying out the soil, frost and other adverse weather conditions. However in case of violation of the temperature regime or watering, even in a greenhouse environment, tomatoes can face diseases and pests... In addition, as a result of sowing low-quality seeds that are already infected, the disease can also develop.

Measures to combat viral diseases of tomatoes during their cultivation in a greenhouse:

• disinfection of seeds, as well as cultivation equipment;
• destruction of insects - carriers of infection;
• greenhouse disinfection (in autumn or spring);
• destruction of plant residues after harvesting, deep plowing and steaming the soil in the spring, before planting the shoots.

The most common tomato diseases and methods of dealing with them

In order to properly fight diseases and carry out their prevention, you need to know what we are dealing with. Consider the most common problems that gardeners face.

Mosaic

Mosaic - a viral disease that is common both outdoors and in a greenhouse... It manifests itself as brown or yellow spots on the leaves, their twisting and withering away.

This disease is practically not amenable to treatment.... Prevention remains the only option. Before sowing, tomato seeds must be treated in a solution of potassium permanganate or sodium triphosphate.

Late blight

Late blight - one of the most common fungal diseases... Typical for plants grown outdoors.

It is manifested by the appearance of brown spots on the leaves and stems. The fruits are covered with brown spots. White bloom appears on the underside of the leaf.

The rapid spread of late blight is facilitated by strong temperature drops and high humidity..

As with many other diseases, late blight is best dealt with through prevention.

For this careful watering of plants under the root is recommended, weekly spraying with cow's milk whey or copper chloride... Polychloride can be sprayed once every 2 weeks.

This is done before flowering, or at the first signs of the disease.

If the tomatoes are already sick, then spraying is carried out 10% sodium chloride solution, or garlic solution. You need to repeat the procedure every 2-3 weeks.

Blackleg

Black leg or root rot - fungal disease, which primarily affects plant roots... It occurs due to oversaturation of the soil with fertilizers or due to neglect of soil disinfection before planting.

If you notice that at least one of the plants is infected, remove itso as not to jeopardize other bushes.

For the prevention of the disease is used copper sulfate solution.

Cladosporium

In the prevention of this disease take care of soil disinfection before planting, as well as the timely removal of old leaves. If you notice manifestations of cladosporia, it is recommended to cut watering.

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Vertex rot

Vertex rot does not belong to infectious diseases and occurs due to lack of moisture, soil salinity or heat. It appears as a flat brown spot with a rotten smell.

You can avoid infection if you do not neglect fertilization. and regular watering of plants in hot weather.

Brown rot (Fomoz)

Fomoz - it is a fungal infection that appears as a small spot at the base of the tomato.

The size of the spot is 3-4 cm. Rot spreads from the stalk to all sides of the tomato.

The inside of the fruit rots. Brown rot appears mainly due to damage to the fruit caused by adverse weather conditions.

For the prevention of phomosis, it is recommended to spray the plants with special agents.that effectively destroy harmful bacteria and fungal microorganisms.

The infected bush cannot be saved. It must be removed.

Gray rot

A fungal disease that affects the stems of a plant. A characteristic feature is the appearance of a gray coating on parts of the plant.

Plaque prevents water from entering, resulting in tissue death.

Infection primarily susceptible to injured stemstherefore, be careful when caring for the crop.

To prevent the appearance of gray rot, tomatoes are processed "Trichodermin".

To combat a disease that has already appeared, use a paste with fungicides or the drug "Bayleton".

Septoria (white rot)

Infection starts from the ground, from where the disease spreads to the lower part of the plant... Lower leaves are the first to suffer.

As a result of the disease, they become watery and lose their color. The plant is covered with a white bloom. The likelihood of infection is higher in soils that contain clay and sand.

To avoid infection, strengthen plant immunity with zinc or urea..

To combat the disease that has already appeared, use special products ("Tsineb", "Horus") or treat plants with copper oxychloride.

Stem necrosis

Bacterial disease... It is characterized by spots on the leaves, cracks in the lower part and stripes on the stems.

Prevention: elimination of residues, seed dressing and sprinkling of plants. If you notice that the plant is infected, it is better to immediately remove it along with the adjacent soil.

Powdery mildew

Powdery mildew - fungal infectious disease... It first appears as a white bloom on the sheets, like flour. Then plaque appears on other parts of the plant. The leaves subsequently turn yellow and die off.

To prevent tomatoes from getting infected, you need to follow simple rules:

• remove old leaves;
• do not let the top layer of the earth dry out;
• add more phosphorus-potassium fertilizers;
• use solutions based on potassium permanganate;
• remove all affected areas immediately.

We have considered the question of what tomatoes are sick with and how to treat them.However, diseases can be avoided by following a number of preventive measures.

Prevention

To get a bountiful harvest when growing, follow the basic rules:

1. Do not forget about the balance of nutrients in fertilizers.
2. Handle the plants carefully to avoid damaging them, as they can lead to disease in the future.
3. Choose a favorable time for planting tomatoes.
4. Plant several varieties at once to find the most suitable one for your site.
5. Plant tomatoes in greenhouses or greenhouses for better conditions.
6. Do not forget to maintain the distance between the plants so that each individual has enough nutrients.

Tomato pests and methods of dealing with them

Pests for tomatoes are no less dangerous than various infectious and fungal diseases... They are capable of destroying plants both in the open field and in greenhouses. Since the grown tomatoes are most often breeding hybrids, they do not have natural defense mechanisms against insects and other pests. Therefore, the plants require special care.

The most common pests of tomatoes are whiteflies, bedbugs, bears, aphids and Colorado beetles. However, this is only a small part of those insects that can cause irreparable harm to crops.

Whitefly

The photo shows that the whitefly - it is a small white butterfly similar to a mole, up to 3 mm in size.

Refers to a group of pests that can destroy plantings in 2-3 weeks. Most often lives in greenhouses and greenhouses.

Whiteflies have the ability to reproduce quickly by laying larvae on the undersides of leaves... The hatched caterpillars feed on the sap of the plant, which is why the bush quickly dies.

The molasses secreted by the whitefly clogs the mouth of the leaf and stops breathing. There is a violation of the processes of photosynthesis in greenery. Tomatoes lose their ability to grow and bloom. Leaves and flowers fall.

To combat the pest, the undersides of the leaves are sprayed special preparations (Fitoverm or Aktara). Since the chemicals only affect adults, this treatment should be carried out every week for 4-5 weeks.

Medvedka

Medvedka - large insect with an oblong body, which reaches a length of up to 5 cm.

Specimens have the ability to move on the ground and underground, as well as fly... The larvae dig holes in the soil in which they live. Insects are found both in greenhouses and in open ground.

Moving in the soil insect damages plant roots, as a result of which they die.

There are many ways to deal with bears:

• soil treatment with ammonia;
• special traps;
• bait;
• the passages left by the bears are poured with foamed water;
• lay special granules, etc.

Aphid

Aphids - small insects of yellow or black color. They appear on plants in June-July. Insects feed on plant sap, so the leaves quickly become lethargic. Aphids can destroy a seedling in a matter of days.

To combat insects, use special chemical or soap solutions, infusions of garlic, wormwood or hot pepper.

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Khrushch

The beetle larvae move underground and destroy plant roots... Adults (May beetles) feed on the leaves of bushes.

The larvae are destroyed when they dig up the garden... They are simply collected in a bucket and disposed of. To prevent the appearance of larvae, nitrogen mineral fertilizers are introduced into the soil.

Drotyanka

Drotyanka - the larva of the click beetle, also known as the wireworm... Has a bright yellow or orange color. Drotyanka feeds on tomato roots, which leads to a slowdown in plant growth.

They fight the dart by means of traps. They are placed a few days before the seedlings are planted. It is also recommended to apply mineral fertilizers to the soil.

Scoops

This is a whole family of pests that are similar in appearance.... The damage is done by the caterpillar stage.

Winter caterpillars are earthy gray in color. Greenish color is less common.

The potato scoop is more often lemon yellow in color. The scoops are up to 5 cm long.

Winter scoop feeds on stems at ground level and is especially gluttonous... Gardening destroys the pulp of the leaf or gnaws right through it.Potato - gnaws through the passages inside the stem, thereby killing the bush.

The easiest way to deal with scoops with special insecticides ("Inta-Vir", "Decis Expert", "Arrivo"). Folk methods of struggle include tinctures on arrows of garlic or decoctions of wormwood.

Spider mite

Tick ​​sizes - from 0.2 to 2 mm... An adult tick has 4 pairs of legs. The color varies: there are gray, green, red or completely colorless ticks.

Virtually weightless pests are easily carried by the wind, posing a threat to plants... There are many of them among the remains of old plants. By settling on tomato bushes, mites damage the leaves. This leads to spotted wilting, mosaic damage to the plate and viral roughness (streak). With a large accumulation, they provoke the appearance of gray rot.

You can fight a tick both with special preparations (Fitoverm, Agrovertin and Karbofos), and folk remedies such as soap solution or rubbing leaves with medical alcohol.

Conclusion

In this article, we examined the most common diseases of the leaves and fruits of tomatoes and how to treat them. Plant immunity plays a critical role in preventing disease. With a lack of trace elements, such as potassium, iodine, manganese, copper, tomatoes are weakened, and the risk of infection increases.

To protect tomatoes from various diseases and pests, follow simple prevention rules. It is equally important to improve the soil environment and observe the rules of crop rotation. Then your plants will be healthy and will delight you with a rich harvest.