BS - Bacterial Speck
Scientific Name: Pseudomonas syringae
Type: Bacterium
Bacterial Speck is a disease that affects the growth of peppers and tomatoes. Symptoms include small brown spots brown in the center surrounded by a yellow ring on the leaves and curling of the leaves. In severe cases, the spots will spread to the tomato. It is caused by infected seeds and is spread by farm equipment, tools, workers, wind, and water. The infected plants should be removed to avoid further infestation. Cool moist conditions contribute to the development of the disease. The disease is favorable when temperatures are 63-75 F and usually occur when moisture and humidity are very high. Plan on using a 3 year crop rotation and avoid planting in the same location, year after year. Increasing space between the plants can help control and prevent the disease, as the disease can be spread from plant to plant in crowded conditions. Keep the fields weed free. Copper fungicides can help manage the disease. The best option is to use disease resistant varieties.
FF – Fusarium Wilt (Race 2)
Scientific Name: Fusarium oxysporum
Type: Fungus
Fusarium Wilt, Race 2, is a world-wide fungal disease that affects the growth of tomatoes. It is one of the most devastating of all soil-borne diseases. Race 2 is found in Arkansas, Florida, New Jersey, and Ohio in the United States. It attacks the roots of the plants and moves up the stems. Symptoms include yellowing and browning of the older bottom leaves, stunting, and wilting. Often the entire plant will die. Usually little or no fruit develops. The infected plants will produce inferior and unmarketable tomatoes. It can cause significant yield loss and even total crops losses. If you stick with Fusarium Wilt Resistant tomato varieties you don’t have to worry. Many of the older heirlooms don’t have any resistance to the disease, so if you grow these then you should keep an eye out for it. The infected plants should be removed and burned to avoid further infestation. Plan on using a 5 to 7 year crop rotation and avoid planting in the same location, year after year, as the disease can survive in the soil up to 10 years. The best option is to use disease resistant varieties.
TYLCV – Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus
Type: Virus - Geminivirus
Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus is a disease that affects the growth of tomatoes. It is primarily found in California and Florida. Symptoms include severe stunting, yellowing of leaves, reduction in leaf size, and leaves curling upwards. Flowers do not develop fully and fall off. Tomatoes will drop off the infected plants. Severe infection can lead to the death of the plant. The disease can cause substantial yield loss and total crop loss. It is spread by the whitefly. The disease does not survive in soil, but can survive in weeds, so use weed management techniques. Plan on using a 3 year crop rotation and avoid planting in the same location, year after year. Keep the fields weed free. Proper tillage practices may be helpful in managing the disease. Covering plants with floating row covers of fine mesh can help protect plants from whitefly infestations. Home gardeners should carefully cover the plant with a plastic bag and tie at the stem at soil line to collect the entire plant and any whiteflies that may be on the plant, then cut off the plant at the soil line. Dispose of the plastic bag in the trash. Insecticides for can help control whitefly infestation. The best option is to use virus-free seeds and disease resistant varieties.
V – Verticillium Wilt
Scientific Name: Verticillium dahliae
Type: Fungus
Verticillium Wilt is a soil-borne disease that affects the growth of lettuce, peppers, spinach, and tomatoes. This disease is most common in the United States and Europe. In lettuce symptoms include wilting of the lower leaves and then the outer leaves turn yellow, wilt and die. Brown and black streaks appear on the taproot and crown The disease can cause substantial yield loss and total crop loss. It is a seed-borne disease that is spread by farm equipment, wind, and water. The infected plants should be removed and burned to avoid further infestation. The virus can live in weeds, so use weed management techniques. The fungus is very difficult to eradicate once it has been introduced into a field. Plan on using a 4 year crop rotation and avoid planting in the same location, year after year, and can survive in the soil for 14 years. Keep the fields weed free. Deep tilling may be helpful in managing the disease. Thoroughly clean equipment after working in a field. Fumigate fields with methyl bromide. The best option is to use virus-free seeds and disease resistant varieties