Tomato Blight Treatment

Tomato blight treatment consists of getting rid of the diseased parts of the plant, and… to know more, read the article below.

One of the greatest woes or dread of every gardener is blight, a fungal infection that occurs in two forms; late blight and early blight. The first one is caused by the Phytophthora infestans, and the other one, by what is known as Alternaria solani. These organisms are also known to jeopardize other plants such as potatoes (causing potato blight) and members of the family Solanaceae. Out of these two, late blight is known to be the most severe; it was responsible for causing the European, Irish and Highland potato famines in the 1840's. Blight can easily spread from plant to plant, eventually infecting the entire colony. One of the important steps in tomato blight treatment is to identify the symptoms at the earliest. Most people fail to do so, and by the time they realize that their plants have been attacked by a blight infestation, a significant damage is already caused. The lower leaves of the plants are the ones that must be watched out for. The disease causes black or brown circles on them. These circles usually have a darker outer ring, with a light shaded center. With time, as the infections spread, more and more leaves develop these circles, eventually turning to yellow, and the entire plant is destroyed.

Treatment of Late and Early Tomato Blight

As I have mentioned in the very beginning, parts which are diseased, must be disposed off at the earliest. So remove the leaves, and burn them. This method for the tomato blight treatment is done to keep the infection from spreading to other parts of the plant, and the neighboring plants. Never leave the infected leaves to loiter on the ground. The organisms that cause blight, happen to stay in the ground. So with the help of the infected leaves, they would only get stronger. Spraying the tomato plants with copper fungicide every 7-10 days, although does not cure this plant disease caused by fungi, but slows it down. In most cases, the product would have to be diluted with water, according to the manufacturer's instructions. Always consult your local garden store for the proper fungicide for tomatoes.

Mulching is one of the most effective tomato blight organic treatment methods. It not only keeps the plants cool, it prevents the blight-contaminated soil from reaching the lower leaves and stems of the plants. Gardeners recommend to keep a gap of at least 3 years, before planting the tomato plants in the same spot. This is due to the fact that there is a high probability of the soil remaining contaminated for these many years. So better it is to go for a blight-free location for the next few years. This is one smart method for tomato blight soil treatment.

Another important tip on tomato early blight control is to get rid of the lower branches of the plants. This would keep the plant from coming in contact with the soil. If staking is required to keep the plant from being close to the ground then do it. Use drip watering method for the plants. This prevents the soil from splashing onto them. Another point to keep in mind for the tomato blight treatment, is not to water the plants late in the day, as this might cause them to retain too much moisture, eventually resulting in an infection.

While planting, ensure that you are not making the place too crowded for them. Lack of air circulation invites the development of blight. Also, if the soil is well-cultivated and weed-free, then you are lessening the chances for blight to occur.

It is always better to go for a multiple varieties of tomato plants, while you are starting the plantation. This is because, there are some varieties that are blight resistant thus, there won't be a total crop failure due to the infection.

The below articles may provide you with some info:

Tips for Growing Tomatoes in Pots and Containers

When to Plant Tomatoes

Black Spots on Tomatoes

Better than the tomato blight treatment, is the prevention of this disease in the first place. Such plants always stay at a high risk zone to be affected by this and other types of diseases. So taking up measures at the very beginning, would not only save time and money, but would also cut back the chances of a total crop loss.