Nov
Using Fungicides On Tomatoes
Fungicides Tomatoes can be seriously affected by disease, particularly in warm wet climates. It’s important to monitor established plants regularly & act quickly if you see any disease symptoms. Disease may be caused by fungi, bacteria & viruses.
Every country has its own list of government registered ® fungicides for different crops. Suppliers of these chemicals have to prove that they work, & usually that they will not cause undue damage to the grower & the environment.
The list of registered ® fungicides for home gardeners is quite small & in the case of tomatoes revolves around the use of two in particular. The ‘active’ ingredient of one is mancozeb & the other is copper. Even though every country & reseller usually has a different commercial or selling name for it is fungicides, in most cases the ‘active’ chemical is the same.
Mancozeb is the active of products often used for leaf spotting diseases. Copper-based chemicals can also be used for leaf spotting diseases, but are best for bacterial diseases which mancozeb will not control. These chemicals should be applied prior to the plant getting the diseases as they will not control diseases that have already started on the plant.
Fungicides are best applied prior to rain, & then following rain before the appearance of disease. Fungicides will not control bacterial wilt-type diseases as well as some fungal wilts. However there’re fungicides available for Phytophthora Root Rots.
Viral diseases are usually controlled by controlling the pest & practising good hygiene.
For more in depth information on diseases & in actual fact every aspect of growing tomatoes visit How to Grow Juicy Tasty Tomatoes
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Annette Welsford & Lucia Grimmer are the authors of the world best seller - How to Grow Juicy Tasty Tomatoes. With a Masters Degree in Plant Pathology, Lucia gives expert technical nutrition & disease advice to professional tomato growers around the globe. Annette’s writing & design skills ensure readers enjoy & informative & well presented book.
