Tony O’Neill, expert gardener and best-selling author of the famous “Simplify Vegetable Gardening,” “Composting Masterclass,” and “Your First Vegetable Garden,” combines lifelong passion and expert knowledge to simplify gardening. His mission? Helping you cultivate a thriving garden. More on Tony O’Neill
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Table of Contents
What To Look For? How To Deal With It?
Occurring on lower leaves initially, Septoria Leaf Spot takes hold after the first fruits are set. Spots can be tiny, around 1.5mm to 6.5mm. They are usually circular in a pattern, but this can vary and be elongated.
Coloration is dark brown rings surrounding beige or grey centers. With multiple spots per leaf, the disease spreads from the oldest growth to the newest. This causes the leaves to turn pale yellow, eventually moving on to brown and dying off altogether.
This can cause a lack of photosynthesis as the Plant struggles to invert the required sugars. Septoria Leaf Spot rarely affects the fruit of the Plant.
Tomatoes suffer from many diseases, like Septoria Leaf Spot. Pale Yellow leaves with brown or grey circular or elongated patches
Septoria Leaf Spot Life Cycle!
I am overwintering on infected material from the nightshade family, such as tomatoes and potatoes. This fungus will persist not only on living vegetation but on tools and equipment such as secateurs, canes, and cages.
Septoria Leaf Spot loves high humidity, so ventilation is essential to prevent it. It requires 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit or 15 to 26 Celsius. Wet leaves can also speed up the spread of Septoria Leaf Spot.
Water
Watering carefully must prevent this disease and keep the foliage dry. How To Control Septoria Leaf Spot? Water management is a must control. It would be best if you did not overhead water your tomato plants. Keeping the vegetation dry is the utmost priority. Instead, use Drip Irrigation. Drip Tape. Soaker Hose, all of which will provide adequate water to your plants while keeping the Plant itself dry.
Foliage
Lower leaves of tomato plants will be the first to be affected by Septoria Leaf Spot; These should be removed immediately upon seeing this disease. If removed early enough, you can prevent its spread to the rest of the Plant and neighboring plants. These leaves should not be composted, Neither should the Plant at the end of the growing season. Instead, they should be burned in a garden incinerator.
Air
Air circulation is king. Ensuring good air movement will help reduce the chances of catching Septoria Leaf Spot. Allow more significant spacings between plants when first planting out; Plant in a staggered pattern so the foliage cannot be compressed to each other. This will significantly help in preventing the spread. The most significant cause of the Septoria Leaf Spot is humid weather when water gets the leaves wet.
Mulch
You can also help with this by mulching around the plants. This will help cut down evaporation reducing the humidity. It will prevent soil-borne spores from splashing up on leaves during watering. Weeding also helps control Septoria Leaf Spot, Especially weeds such as the Horsenettle part of the nightshade family, which is a frequent host of Septoria Leaf Spot.
If you have suffered from Septoria Leaf spot, consider growing your crops in other parts of the garden or greenhouse. At the very least, you could replace the soil to reduce the infestation. It can typically take over two years to grow tomatoes in the same ground again.
Control
And as a last resort, fungicidal sprays can be used to control the disease. These will not kill the infection but prevent new leaves from becoming infected. Apply weekly to ensure adequate protection. Use something similar to Solabiol, 100% organic copper fungicide and bactericide Or Neem Oil. Follow the instructions and be mindful of harvest times if you have to use this route.
FAQ on Deal With Septoria Leaf Spot On Tomatoes Leaves
How do you treat Septoria leaf spot on tomatoes?
To treat the Septoria leaf spot on tomatoes, remove and destroy infected leaves. Avoid overhead watering and water the soil instead. Apply fungicides containing chlorothalonil or copper-based products according to label instructions. Ensure good air circulation, proper spacing, and remove weeds.
Can tomatoes survive the Septoria leaf spot?
Tomatoes can be affected by Septoria leaf spot, caused by the fungus Septoria lycopersici. While the disease can severely damage tomato plants, it can survive if proper management practices are implemented. These include removing infected leaves, practicing crop rotation, applying fungicides, ensuring adequate plant spacing, and promoting good air circulation. Timely intervention and preventive measures can help tomatoes survive the Septoria leaf spot.
What is the best spray for the Septoria leaf spot?
There are several effective sprays for controlling the Septoria leaf spot, including fungicides containing active ingredients like chlorothalonil, mancozeb, or azoxystrobin. It’s best to consult with a local agricultural extension office or professional to determine the most appropriate spray for your specific situation and crops.
Conclusion
So that’s Septoria Leaf spot and how to deal with it. I hope this article has been of use to you. If it was, consider checking out more of my articles from the blog pages or even subscribing to the blog in the right-hand sidebar.
Tony.
