How to Cure Bacterial Canker on Tomato Plants

Tomatoes are a popular garden crop, but unfortunately, they are prone to a variety of diseases. One of the most common diseases is bacterial canker, which can cause significant damage to your tomato plants. Bacterial canker is caused by the bacteria Clavibacter michiganensis and can affect every part of a tomato plant, including leaves, stems, and fruit. If you suspect that your tomato plants are suffering from this disease, read on to learn how to cure bacterial canker on tomato plants.

Identify the Symptoms of Bacterial Canker

The first step in curing bacterial canker on tomato plants is to identify the symptoms. Early symptoms of the disease include small, water-soaked spots on leaves or stems. These spots will eventually develop into brown, necrotic lesions. The lesions can release a sticky, yellowish-brown substance that contains bacterial cells. Fruit can also develop similar lesions that lead to rotting and cracking. If you notice these symptoms on your tomato plants, it’s important to take action quickly to prevent the disease from spreading.

Practice Good Sanitation

Bacterial canker can spread rapidly, so it’s important to practice good sanitation to prevent the disease from spreading. Start by removing any infected leaves or stems, making sure to disinfect your pruners or shears between cuts. Remember to clean up any debris around your tomato plants, including fallen leaves or fruit, as the bacteria can overwinter in this material. Finally, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling your tomato plants to prevent the spread of bacteria.

Treat Your Plants with Antibiotics

If you catch bacterial canker early enough, you may be able to cure it with antibiotics. Copper sprays and streptomycin are both effective treatments for bacterial canker on tomato plants. Copper sprays are often used as a preventive measure, but they can also be used to treat the disease. For best results, apply copper sprays every two weeks starting at transplanting until two weeks before harvest. Streptomycin can also be used to treat bacterial canker, but it’s important to follow the instructions carefully as overuse can lead to antibiotic resistance.

Plant Resistant Tomato Varieties

If bacterial canker is a recurring problem in your garden, you may want to consider planting tomato varieties that are resistant to the disease. Resistant varieties have been bred specifically to resist bacterial canker and are a good choice for gardeners who frequently have trouble with the disease. Be sure to read the seed packets or catalog descriptions carefully to make sure that the variety you select is resistant to bacterial canker.

Conclusion

Bacterial canker can be a frustrating and damaging disease to deal with, but with good sanitation and the right treatments, it’s possible to cure your tomato plants. Remember to identify the symptoms of the disease, practice good sanitation, treat your plants with antibiotics if needed, and consider planting resistant tomato varieties. With these strategies, you can ensure that your tomato plants stay healthy and productive, even in the face of bacterial canker.