Fusarial wilt of tomatoes is a disease that is easier to prevent than to cure

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Many summer residents who grow tomatoes in greenhouses or in the open field in their gardens are faced with the fact that the leaves along the entire height of the plants curl, and the lower ones turn yellow and die. Seeing such a picture, some decide that it is a lack of food, others suggest the action of pests, and others - various diseases. Everyone is trying to do something so as not to lose the harvest. In such a situation, it is important to establish the cause, and not spray with what is at hand, hoping that the drug used will fix everything.

Recently, Fusarium wilt of tomatoes has been widespread. The photographs presented in the article show what the results of the action of pathogenic fungi of the genus Fusarium, which are the causative agents of this disease, look like. On a section of a diseased plant, a dark ring can be clearly seen near the root. Sometimes a light gray or white fluffy coating appears at the base of the stem.

Previously, Fusarium wilt of tomatoes was observed only in areas with hot summers, and now it is also manifesting in temperate zones, as these places are increasinglyconditions are being created for its development.

Sources and carriers of the disease are infected seeds, soil and perennial grasses. Spores of the fungus - the causative agent of the disease - remain for a long time in the soil and on the remains of dead plants. If the immunity of plants is normal, then the disease does not manifest itself. But adverse conditions and stressful situations (sudden changes in humidity and temperature of soil and air, excess moisture, frost, lack of soil nutrition, etc.) contribute to the development of such a disease as Fusarium wilt of tomatoes.

The result of growing under stressful conditions is the penetration of previously noted pathogenic fungi into the root system, and from it into the adjacent part of the tomato stem. Spreading through the vascular system, the fungus affects not only the stems, but also the fruits. At the same time, the tops of the plants droop, the leaves become flabby and turn yellow, wither, and then dry out. In some cases, there may be a general oppression of plants with the formation of small fruits. Weakened plants are subsequently affected by bacteriosis, and they die.

Fusarium wilt of tomatoes can appear in any phase of development. On shoots, it is accompanied by root and root rot. Seedlings that have grown to the cotyledon phase begin to fade. It happens that outwardly he althy tomatoes have a latent infection. In this form, symptoms will appear in later stages of development. If the seedlings were he althy, and during the growing season signs of the disease appeared, then it can be assumed that the soil is infected.

Before sowing seeds, the soil mixture should be disinfected. To do this, you need to use the biological product "Trichodermin". In a 30x50 box, only 4 g of it needs to be added to protect the seedlings from a disease such as Fusarium wilt of tomatoes. Treatment at any stage will be ineffective, but prevention is always effective.

To prevent the disease during the growing season, plants need to be watered 4 times per season with a solution of the indicated drug, diluted in a ratio of 7 g of powder per 2 liters of water. 500 ml of the prepared solution must be poured under each plant. In addition, tomatoes can be sprayed on the leaves with Falcon at a concentration of 1 mg per 3.3 liters of water.

Fusariosis wilt of tomatoes is a fungal disease that is almost impossible to fight, and it is easy to prevent. If you want to get good harvests, do not be lazy to take preventive measures.