Plant Diagnosis

Tomato Late Blight Critical

Devastating disease of tomatoes in home gardens, especially during cool, wet weather caused by Phytophthora infestans during cool, humid conditions.

Description

Late blight is the most feared disease in kitchen gardens growing tomatoes. The pathogen thrives in cool (15-20°C), humid conditions with prolonged leaf wetness. Initial symptoms are small, dark spots that rapidly enlarge under favorable conditions. White, fuzzy sporulation appears on leaf undersides during humid periods. Infected fruits develop brown, firm rot. The disease can destroy entire plants within days.

Symptoms

• Water-soaked lesions, white fuzzy growth, brown fruit rot, rapid plant death