SOLANACEOUS CROP PROJECTS 73 



3. What injury do they cause and how may it be detected? 



CL:171. 



4. Name two control measures. 



CL: 171-172. 



Tomatoes are subject to several diseases, such as early and 

 late blight, which are the same as those that attack its closely 

 related plant, the potato. Both the early blight and the late blight 

 attack the foliage of the tomato, killing it and thus reducing the 

 crop or causing complete loss. The late blight also attacks the 

 fruit in the fall, causing it to decay in much the same manner 

 that it causes decay of potato tubers. Another very common 

 disease of tomatoes is known as Septoria leaf spot. This disease 

 attacks not only the foliage but also the stems, causing a circular 

 gray spot. It does not attack the fruit directly. These three 

 diseases can be controlled by spraying the plants at a timely 

 period and in a thorough manner with Bordeaux mixture. Various 

 formulae of Bordeaux are efFective as sprays for these diseases, 

 but for general use the standard 4-4-50 formula is satisfactory. 

 Spraying should be started as soon as the plants are established 

 in the field. In the cooler climates two applications are most 

 profitable for early blight and leaf spot. In the warmer climates 

 below the Mason and Dixon line about five applications are more 

 economical. Where late blight is a factor two or three late 

 applications are necessary, starting when the first fruits are 

 beginning to ripen. 



Winter blight is a destructive disease which is most commonly 

 met with in growing tomatoes under glass. It produces a broMTi 

 streaking of the stems and a fine, brown spotting of the leaves. 

 The fruits are also attacked and exhibit a brownish, blotched 

 appearance, which appears to be confined chiefly to the skin. 

 The disease usually kills the plants within two or three weeks 



