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Tomato yellow leaf curl is a disease of tomatoes caused by the whitefly-transmitted virus, Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV). This disease was first observed in Louisiana in 2000 and since then has occurred sporadically in both field- and greenhouse-grown tomatoes. After a plant becomes infected, new growth is severely stunted and fruit production ceases. Disease management relies on use of disease-free transplants, planting resistant varieties and controlling whiteflies.
Fusarium wilt of tomato is caused by the soil-borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici. This pathogen infects roots directly or enters through wounds and rapidly colonizes the xylem of the infected plant. This disease usually occurs during periods of hot weather from blossoming to fruit maturation. Because this pathogen can persist in infested soils for many years, avoiding areas with a history of Fusarium wilt and planting resistant varieties are your best management options.
Bacterial speck is favored by cool temperatures and high-moisture conditions. Severe fruit spotting can decrease yield potential by reducing its marketability.
Bacterial spot is present wherever tomatoes or peppers are grown. Crop losses result from both defoliation and spotting on the fruit, reducing yield potential and fruit marketability.
Bacterial wilt is a soilborne disease found in warm, temperate, subtropical and tropical areas. Ralstonia solanacearum (previously called Pseudomonas solanacearum) enters its host through roots and colonizes the xylem elements in the vascular tissue. Ralstonia has an extremely wide host range with well over 200 hosts reported.
Plant diseases can become the limiting factor ito tomato production worldwide. There are nearly 200 known tomato diseases of diverse causes and etiologies. Control of these diseases involves host resistance, exclusion, eradication and most importantly, use of best management practices.
Early blight is one of the most common tomato diseases and is distributed world-wide. Early blight is generally found in humid or semiarid climates where frequent dews provide significant moisture for disease development. This disease can result in severe crop losses due to defoliation and reduction in fruit size and quality.
Southern blight (or southern wilt) is a disease of hundreds of plant species, including tomatoes. It is favored by moist conditions and high temperatures. The fungus can survive for years in soil and plant debris.
