Knowledgebase
Tomatoes #865077
Asked April 19, 2024, 9:12 AM EDT
Ulster County New York
Expert Response
Hi Michael, Are you passing along a question that came into the hotline, or is this your own question?
This is a case where more information would be helpful.
- Tomato variety (disease-resistant, right?)
- growing conditions (no overhead watering, right? lots of air circulation)
- age of seedlings
- how long has it taken for the problem to progress
Also - it seems like the disease is pretty far advanced. Pictures from earlier in the disease cycle would be helpful. And closer up pictures.
Without more information, especially pictures from early in the cycle, I'm giving you my best guess, which is bacterial spot. From what I've read, this can be transmitted via seed, and it can affect seedlings. Here are three resources for more follow-up:
NC State Extension: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/bacterial-spot-of-pepper-and-tomato
Clemson Tomato Diseases & Disorders: https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/tomato-diseases-disorders/ - this is just a great site overall
And, as always, the Tomato Diagnostic Key from Cornell. This doesn't seem like damping off, but I'm not sure gray mold is the culprit either. A hand lens is in order:
good luck,
MGV Sarah H.