some kind of tomato wilt... - Ask Extension
Hello
Like so many others, I have tomato wilt questions. Is it fusarium wilt, verticillium wilt, and bacterial wilt or Walnut? I think I pretty much...
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some kind of tomato wilt... #465565
Asked June 26, 2018, 1:17 PM EDT
Hello
Like so many others, I have tomato wilt questions. Is it fusarium wilt, verticillium wilt, and bacterial wilt or Walnut? I think I pretty much answered my question after typing this up – it must be some fungi.
Can I have the soil tested just to confirm?
Does it matter what kind?
If I continue to fertilize them, will they get through the season? Or give up now.
Do I have to put them in pot next year or try growing resistant varieties?
Here are some observations and info:
• It does not appear to be impacting other nightshades. Not yet at least. It has not in the past years (this is the 3 year of wilt)
• We put straw down to prevent splashing
• We have raised beds but I don’t/can’t rotate very well. Just not enough space.
• Yes, maybe I put too much in a bed but there is always plenty of air circulation
• Recovers with rain and improves over night
• We grow our own from seed but I sterilized containers
• The garden is about 20 feet from the walnut drip line. Should be fine, right?
• The continue to produce fruit to some extent so I hate to cut it down to look at the stem and vascular system.
• Some tomato plants are not impacted. I don’t know off hand which I have and if they are the resistant breed.
The information and services you offer are amazing. We are forever grateful.
Thank you,
Denise
note: the photos are from a couple weeks ago. More yellow spotted leaves have appeared at the base of the plant.
Olmsted County Minnesota
Expert Response
The wilts you list are not your problem. Lesions and yellowing of leaves are the early symptoms of these and I don't see them on your plants. Take a look at our diagnostic tool "What's wrong with my plant?" under Tomatoes for more details on these tomato diseases.
I believe if juglone from the walnut tree roots / leaves / fruit was the problem, you would see it affecting the entire plant.
My first inclination is that the wilting stems may be damaged somehow from wind / rain and that is what is causing the wilting of these specific branches. Inadvertant contact while working in the garden can also damage the stems. Check the stems for bends, creases, breakage. Try pruning off these wilting branches and see if additional stems continue to exhibit the same problem.
The rest of the plants in your pictures look very healthy.
Your plant may also be heat-stressed or it simply is not able to support so many stems+foliage. Sometimes the stems are heavy and the plant can't support them. Your plant may also be getting too much nitrogen (N) due to manure or fertilizer added to the soil causing it to grow quickly and put on lots of foliage. Thinning the lower leaves / stems of the plants may help.
Physiological leaf roll - a tomato disorder - can look like wilting as well: http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/vegetables/disorders-of-tomato/
FYI soil testing won't reveal soil pathogens. A sample of the affected plant would have to be sent to the UMN Plant Disease Clinic. The starting fee for analysis is about $50 and most people won't spend that on a tomato plant which will die in a couple of months.
I believe if juglone from the walnut tree roots / leaves / fruit was the problem, you would see it affecting the entire plant.
My first inclination is that the wilting stems may be damaged somehow from wind / rain and that is what is causing the wilting of these specific branches. Inadvertant contact while working in the garden can also damage the stems. Check the stems for bends, creases, breakage. Try pruning off these wilting branches and see if additional stems continue to exhibit the same problem.
The rest of the plants in your pictures look very healthy.
Your plant may also be heat-stressed or it simply is not able to support so many stems+foliage. Sometimes the stems are heavy and the plant can't support them. Your plant may also be getting too much nitrogen (N) due to manure or fertilizer added to the soil causing it to grow quickly and put on lots of foliage. Thinning the lower leaves / stems of the plants may help.
Physiological leaf roll - a tomato disorder - can look like wilting as well: http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/vegetables/disorders-of-tomato/
FYI soil testing won't reveal soil pathogens. A sample of the affected plant would have to be sent to the UMN Plant Disease Clinic. The starting fee for analysis is about $50 and most people won't spend that on a tomato plant which will die in a couple of months.
