Tomato care requirements
Symptoms to look for in Tomato
Large, water-soaked, greyish-green blotches on leaves that quickly turn brown and papery, often with white fungal growth visible on the underside in humid weather, and can affect stems and fruit.
Common causes in Tomato
Caused by the water mould Phytophthora infestans, which spreads rapidly in cool, wet weather and can destroy a tomato crop within days if unchecked — historically the cause of the Irish potato famine on the related potato plant.
How to treat late blight in Tomato
Remove and destroy all affected plant material immediately (do not compost), and apply a copper-based fungicide preventively if late blight is active in your area. Severely affected plants should be removed entirely.
Preventing late blight in Tomato
Avoid overhead watering, ensure good airflow, and choose blight-resistant tomato varieties in areas where late blight is common.