All gardeners dream of a good tomato crop. But sometimes brown spots and rot nullify all the labors. This usually happens in August, when green fruits appear on the plant. Why do tomatoes turn black? Let's look into this issue.
Late blight and gray rot
Spores of phytophthora fungus have a drop of water enough for germination, therefore, during the risk period (July-August), tomatoes are watered under the root. Leaves and fruits should not get wet. If the disease affects the plants, then daily need to remove the diseased fruits and leaves, folding them outside the garden area. This will prevent the spread of late blight. In addition, the ventilation and illumination of crops improves, which also has a negative effect on the fungus.
If the tomatoes turn black below, then this is gray rot. This disease spreads with a deficiency of calcium in the shoots or excessive soil acidity. Another option for the appearance of gray rot is the wrong dose of fertilizers when feeding.
Disease prevention
For the prevention of disease, you should know about such a thing as crop rotation. It implies that tomatoes should not be planted next to potatoes and in the area where peppers or potatoes grew. They also can not be left in their place: in the same garden they should appear after 4 years.
Why do tomatoes turn black and how to prevent this process? This is the main question for gardeners. You should know that for planting tomatoes you need to choose areas with good lighting, ventilated from all sides. A rare planting pattern will also protect the plant from the spread of diseases, since bright sunlight is harmful to fungi.
There is no absolute protection of plants from diseases, because a person does not control the weather, and late blight spores develop in a humid environment. Why do green tomatoes turn black ? This is a manifestation of the above disease. For its prevention, you need to exclude heavy watering. If the plot is small, then tomatoes should be watered with warm water, which was previously heated in the sun. When feeding, you need to take into account the norms of fertilizer application.
Carrying out agricultural activities
Why do tomatoes turn black if the site is chosen correctly, and the conditions are all met? The fact is that the disease develops where it is warm, moist and calm. To destroy the environment favorable for the fungus, you need to pinch the plants and tie the stems to stakes or trellis.
From the ground to the lower leaves should be about 30 cm - this will provide the necessary ventilation of the soil. Pasynkovanie and pinching accelerate the growth and ripening of fruits, so the crop can be harvested before the development of late blight. Gardeners also spray the bushes with salted warm water, and at the first sign of infection - one percent Bordeaux fluid.
So we answered the question of why tomatoes turn black. The main thing is to remember that the fungus loves heat, moisture. Therefore, it is necessary to timely carry out all preventive and agricultural measures and observe the conditions for growing tomatoes.