Knowledgebase

new growth on tomato stunted, curling, and twisting #248525

Asked May 31, 2015, 2:25 PM EDT

My plants were started from seed, potted in a peat, sandy soil, and potting mix mixture, They went in the ground in various locations (raised beds, vegetable gardens, and pots) on or after May 15th. They looked marvelous until several days ago, when new growth started coming out curled and twisted with stunted leaves. Only some of the varieties that I planted in raised beds are displaying the symptoms (so far). Someone I gave plants to several weeks before planting told me yesterday that she's having the same problem, although it was planted in an entirely different area and conditions. I didn't see anything of note when I looked at the underside of the leaves with a magnifier, but may not have known what I was looking at. If it was mites, I didn't see them.

Baltimore County Maryland

Expert Response

From your photos it looks like the tomatoes may have been subject to possible herbicide damage.  Injury usually occurs when weed control spray drifts onto nearby plants. In some cases herbicides can drift many feet from the site of application.  Tomatoes are sensitive and Injury is often seen on the young leaves. If not too severe, the plants often  outgrow the damage. See the attached link on herbicide damage. http://extension.umd.edu/growit/herbicide-damage-vegetables
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