DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS
Late blight is a fungus that occurs not only on tomatoes, but on potatoes, peppers and eggplants as well. The first symptoms are brown or black lesions on stems and blotches on leaves. A grey fuzzy mold then develops. Fruit may develop a brown or black leathery rot, then become soft and mushy.
Late blight spreads in cool, wet or humid weather. The spores can move in wind-blown rain, in ground water, runoff or in water splashed from plant to plant in the garden.
This disease has only become a problem in the Interior in the past few years, but it is escalating.

PREVENTION
• Grow tomatoes in a warm, dry sunny area. Water the soil, do not apply water to leaves or fruit.
• Remove any diseased foliage at the end of the growing season to prevent disease from carrying over.
• Immediately remove diseased leaves or shoots. Do not compost them.
• Destroy any volunteer tomato or potato plants in the garden.

CONTROL
Apply copper spray at label rates after planting and before the disease occurs. (to print, right-click on this page)