Each self-respecting gardener seeks to grow large and environmentally friendly fruits on his site. However, quite often beginners in agriculture lose their crops due to various parasites or plant ailments. What are the main pests and diseases of tomato found in Russia and the CIS countries, experts explain.
Among the main ailments that can harm tomatoes or other soft fruits in the garden, the following lesions can be mentioned: various types of rot, tomato mosaic, bacterial spotting. The most terrible pests for red vegetables are the Colorado potato beetle, whitefly, bear, different species of butterfly scoops, naked slugs, flies and aphids.
Fighting Tomato Diseases
To determine the treatment methods, you need to try to determine the type of damage. Visual diagnosis allows you to find out in a few seconds which pests and diseases of the tomato are present on the bushes of the plant.
There are several types of tomato rot: white, root, gray, rhizoctonia, fomosis or brown. To recognize the signs of the disease, you need to examine the roots and stems of the plant. If the tops are wilted, and the bottom of the trunk rotted - most likely, this is a white "representative" of a galaxy of ailments. Rhizoctonia manifestations are the appearance of concentric spots having a brown tint. Damages are located on unripe fruits and have dimensions of 0.5-1.5 cm. Root rot can affect both young seedlings and an adult plant. This disease can be noticed by brown spots on the root neck of the bush or crumbling ovary. There are pests and diseases of the tomato, characteristic only for tomatoes, for example, a viral mosaic. The leaves of the damaged plant are covered with a net mosaic: light green islands mixed with dark green pieces, and yellow “strokes” may appear on the fruits.
Spotting also exists of several types: white and black. Both diseases look like gradually growing black dots. With septoria (white spotting), the spots grow in size and change their color to blackish-gray, necessarily surrounded by a rich purple border. A yellow border with silver dots on the fruits characterizes the black bacterial appearance of the disease.
Tomatoes: diseases and pests in the middle lane
The traditional insects that enjoy the parts of tomatoes with pleasure include the common Colorado potato beetle, aphids and delicate whiteflies. These are very dangerous pests, since they can devour the entire soft surface of the leaf, which means a lack of various nutrients for the plant. The large bear, which nibbles the roots and base of plants, is not inferior in damage. Scoop butterflies close the list of hazards for tomatoes.
Pests and diseases of a tomato can be quite a serious problem for beginner gardeners. While there is not enough experience to independently determine the problem, it is worth using a proven method. You can make a light solution of potassium permanganate and treat it with all the plants, most importantly, try not to soak the roots.