How to Identify Early Blight, Late Blight, and Leaf Spot on Tomatoes

Early Blight: dark, sunken lesions at or above the soil line, sometimes called collar rot. Late Blight: black and brown lesions appear on stem and petioles; when petioles or leaf stalks are affected, entire leaf can collapse; entire vine or plant can quickly collapse and die in period of high humidity.

What does late blight look like on tomatoes?
What is the difference between leaf spot and blight?
How do you identify tomato blight?
Can late blight be treated?
Why it is called late blight?
How do you get rid of leaf blight?
What does fungal leaf spot look like?
What does early blight look like?
What is the difference between late blight and early blight?
Does blight stay in soil?
How do you get rid of tomato blight in soil?

What does late blight look like on tomatoes?

Late blight affects both leaves and fruit. Leaves develop blue-gray spots which turn brown. Leaves eventually drop. Fruit develops irregular brown, greasy spots which can affect the entire tomato.

What is the difference between leaf spot and blight?

In general, as long as the spots are discretely separated from each other by green tissue, the disease is referred to as a spot. When these spots occur suddenly and merge together to form a larger mass of diseased tissue, the disease is referred to as a blight.

How do you identify tomato blight?

SYMPTOMS OF TOMATO BLIGHT

Small brown marks appear on the leaves which enlarge as the blight takes hold.
Leaves on the lower part of the plant may well have light coloured patches of fungal infection on the undersides.
Brown spots will then appear on the stems and branches, quickly turning to deep brown black.

Can late blight be treated?

If you notice late blight early on in the disease's progression, treat the plant with one of these recommended fungicide options: Copper-based fungicides – Use a copper-based fungicide (mix 2 ounces of fungicide with a gallon of water) every 6 or 7 days following a watering or heavy rain.

Why it is called late blight?

Found on tomato and potato plants, late blight is caused by the fungus Phytophthora infestans and is common throughout the United States. True to its name, the disease occurs later in the growing season with symptoms often not appearing until after blossom.

How do you get rid of leaf blight?

Leaf Blight Tips: Wet garden tools and clothing help spread leaf blight, so don't work a wet melon patch. Dispose of infected vines and clean up well before winter sets in; leaf blight fungi overwinter in plant debris.

What does fungal leaf spot look like?

Spots are most often brownish, but may be tan or black. Concentric rings or dark margins are often present. Fungal bodies may appear as black dots in the spots, either in rings or in a central cluster. Over time, the spots may combine or enlarge to form blotches.

What does early blight look like?

What does early blight look like? Symptoms of early blight first appear at the base of affected plants, where roughly circular brown spots appear on leaves and stems. As these spots enlarge, concentric rings appear giving the areas a target-like appearance. Often spots have a yellow halo.

What is the difference between late blight and early blight?

Does blight stay in soil?

Blight cannot survive in soil or fully composted plant material. It over-winters in living plant material and is spread on the wind the following year. The most common way to allow blight to remain in your garden is through 'volunteer potatoes'.

How do you get rid of tomato blight in soil?

Managing Tomato Blight

The absence of live plants should rid the soil of the disease in this time. Also, scout for infected plants and immediately take them far away from the garden and compost bin. Bag and toss them instead. Finally, keep a lookout for and remove weedy tomato relatives that can harbor blight.