What to Put on Tomato Plants for Blight

Tomatoes are a popular garden crop, but unfortunately they are susceptible to diseases such as blight. Tomato blight can quickly ruin a healthy plant, causing leaves to turn brown, fruit to rot, and eventually killing the entire plant. However, there are several things you can do to prevent and treat tomato blight. In this article, we will explore various remedies for tomato blight and the best ways to implement them.

Identifying Tomato Blight

Before you can treat tomato blight, it's important to be able to identify it. Early blight typically appears on the lower leaves of the plant, causing yellow spots to develop. As the disease progresses, the spots turn brown and eventually, the leaves will die and fall off. Late blight, on the other hand, typically affects the upper parts of the plant and causes dark, greasy spots on the leaves and stems. The fruit may also develop dark, sunken spots.

Preventing Tomato Blight

The best way to treat tomato blight is to prevent it from occurring in the first place. Here are a few tips for preventing blight:

Select blight-resistant tomato varieties.

Avoid over-watering, which can lead to humid conditions ideal for blight development.

Rotate your tomato crop each year to prevent disease buildup in the soil.

Prune plants to improve air circulation and reduce humidity.

Natural Remedies for Treating Tomato Blight

If despite your best efforts, your tomato plants develop blight, you can try some natural remedies to treat the disease:

Neem oil: Applying neem oil to your plants can help to deter pests and slow the spread of disease.

Copper fungicide: Copper fungicides can be effective in treating both early and late blight. However, overuse of copper can cause damage to the plants, so be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully.

Baking soda: Mixing baking soda and water to create a spray can help to reduce the spread of blight. It's important to note that baking soda can damage the leaves if used too frequently or in high concentrations.

Garlic spray: Creating a garlic spray by steeping sliced garlic cloves in water for several hours and then straining the mixture can help to prevent and treat blight.

Chemical Fungicides for Treating Tomato Blight

If natural remedies fail to control tomato blight, you may need to turn to chemical fungicides. These products contain stronger chemicals that can effectively kill the blight, but they should be used with caution:

Chlorothalonil: This is a broad-spectrum fungicide that can be effective in treating both early and late blight. However, it's important to follow the instructions carefully, as overuse can lead to resistance in the blight and damage to the plant.

Mefenoxam: This fungicide is effective in treating late blight, but it should only be used if the blight is already present on the plants. It's also important to pay close attention to the instructions, as misuse can lead to the development of resistance in the blight.

Conclusion

Tomato blight is a serious disease that can quickly destroy your tomato crop if left untreated. However, there are several ways to prevent and treat the disease. By following the tips we've provided and implementing the remedies that work best for you, you can ensure that your tomato plants will stay healthy and productive throughout the growing season.