

If you make a purchase using one of these links, I will receive a very small commission at no additional cost to you, and it will help me maintain this website. Be sure to disinfect garden tools and other items that have come into contact with infected plants. Do not compost, as most compost piles do not maintain high enough temperatures to kill pathogens. Remove infected leaves and branches and dispose of them in the trash. The difference is that Septoria leaf spot produces small lesions with tan or light gray centers, and filaments can be seen growing on the spots. Nevertheless, a plant with early blight may not die, but because it is compromised, it will produce fewer tomatoes.Įarly blight can be confused with Septoria leaf spot, another kind of blight, since both cause spots on leaves that eventually turn yellow and fall off. Some consider this type of blight to be the most difficult to treat because it can affect the entire plant as the fungus spreads and the lesions coalesce. Older plants are usually more susceptible to this fungus, but seedlings can also be a target. As they develop, they will be dark, sunken, and leather-like and may eventually encompass the entire fruit. On both green and ripe fruit, lesions will first appear on the stem end. Lesions that form near the soil level may cause girdling or collar rot. As the fungus grows, the lesions will elongate. On stems, you will find small, somewhat sunken dark spots or lesions. Early blight on tomato leaves, Okra In My Garden The infected leaves will eventually turn yellow, and defoliation will occur as the disease progresses. It first appears on older leaves but can also appear anywhere on the plant and fruit.

Some describe the irregular spots as looking like they have yellow halos. On leaves, the fungus is characterized by yellow and brown spots or lesions that have concentric rings. The disease may also cause stem girdling. On seedlings, early blight develops as dark spots on cotyledon leaves, true leaves, and stems. Spores can overwinter in the soil and plant debris, and they can also be found on seeds and volunteer tomato plants. Spores are spread by wind, contact with infected garden tools, hands, gloves, etc., or when water splashes infected soil. The fungal spores proliferate in warm, moist conditions and when the humidity is 90% or higher. It is important to note, however, that both can occur at the same time. It is referred to as early blight because it appears earlier in the season as opposed to late blight, which appears later. What is Early Blight?Įarly blight is a fungal disease caused by two closely related species of Alternaria: Alternaria linariae, formerly known as Alternaria solani, and Alternaria tomatophila.
#EARLY BLIGHT TOMATO CONTAINER HOW TO#
In this article, you will learn how to identify, treat, and prevent early blight. Three common types of blight that affect tomatoes and other nightshades such as peppers, potatoes, and eggplant are early blight, late blight, and Septoria leaf spot.
