Early Blight Disease In Tomatoes: How To Spot And Stop It In Its Tracks?

Tomato plants are susceptible to the widespread fungal disease known as early blight. Early blight is the name given to this disease because it inhibits plant growth early in the growing season. It is brought on by the fungus Alternaria solani and poses a serious threat in warm, humid climates. The potato crop can also be infected by the fungus. Any part of the host plant, including the leaves, stems, and even the fruits, can be invaded and infected by Alternaria solani. The infected plant produces fruits of poor grade. This article will teach you how to identify the signs of early blight, what causes it, and most importantly, how to prevent and manage it in your crops. 🍅🍃🍂🌿🌱🍀  

Symptoms of Early Blight in Tomato 

• Affected leaves often display circular, dark brown to black patches with dark concentric rings that range in diameter from 1 to 1.5 cm. 
• These patches are frequently referred to a "Bull's eye" due to their appearance. 
• The spots may coalesce as the infection worsens, resulting in the yellowing and defoliation of the affected leaves. 
• Older leaves are initially impacted by the illness, which can later spread to stems and fruits. 
• In severe cases, stem lesions may develop, resulting in wilting and death of the plant. 
• On fruits, the disease may result in circular lesions with concentric rings, similar to how it affects leaves.
• Later, these spots may enlarge and become dark and sunken.
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• • EARLY BLIGHT SYMPTOM IN TOMATO PLANT

How is it caused? 

• In addition to being spread by contaminated seeds or transplants, the fungus can overwinter on plant waste and soil and can also be introduced to a field. 
• Rainy days or overhead irrigation can encourage the spread of illness because it thrives in moist, humid environments. 
• Nutrient-deprived tomato plants may be more vulnerable to early blight.

Preventive Measures 

• To prevent the accumulation of fungus spores in the soil, use crop rotation with crops from the non-Solanaceae family, such as grains (such as wheat, barley), brassicas (such as cauliflower, cabbage), or legumes (such as beans, peas).  
• Avoid transferring seedlings into the main field if they exhibit early blight symptoms. 
• To promote air circulation and lower humidity around the plants, space tomatoes out sufficiently. 
• To increase the crop's resistance to disease, provide it with a balanced diet. 
• After harvest, properly remove and dispose of plant debris to stop the illness from spreading. 
• Avoid engaging in any multicultural activities on days that are humid. 
• Keep weeds out of the field because they can serve as an alternative host for the disease. 
• Avoid overhead irrigation, which may encourage the growth of fungi.  

Management of Early blight disease in Tomato 

Note: Please follow the product’s label to know the right time of application.