## Gardening Tips: Tomato Blight Causes and Treatment
Tomato blight is a common fungal disease that can wreak havoc on your tomato plants. It can cause leaves to turn yellow and brown, wilt, and eventually die. If left untreated, blight can spread to the fruit, causing it to rot and become inedible.
There are two main types of tomato blight: early blight and late blight. Early blight is caused by the fungus _Alternaria solani_ and typically affects older plants. Late blight is caused by the fungus _Phytophthora infestans_ and can affect plants of all ages.
**Causes of Tomato Blight**
* **Early Blight:** Caused by the fungus _Alternaria solani_, early blight is favored by warm, humid conditions. It typically affects older plants and can be spread through infected seed, plant debris, or water.
* **Late Blight:** Caused by the fungus _Phytophthora infestans_, late blight is most common in cool, wet weather. It can spread rapidly through infected seed, plant debris, water, or wind-borne spores.
**Symptoms of Tomato Blight**
**Early Blight:**
* Brown or black spots on leaves
* Target-like rings on leaves
* Yellowing and wilting of leaves
* Premature defoliation
**Late Blight:**
* Water-soaked spots on leaves
* Grayish-white mold on the underside of leaves
* Wilting and collapse of leaves
* Fruit rot
**Treatment of Tomato Blight**
**Early Blight:**
* Remove infected leaves and plant debris.
* Water plants at the base to avoid wetting the foliage.
* Apply a copper-based fungicide according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
**Late Blight:**
* Remove infected plants and destroy them.
* Do not compost infected plant material.
* Use a fungicide that contains the active ingredient mancozeb or chlorothalonil.
* Water plants early in the day to allow foliage to dry out before nightfall.
**Prevention of Tomato Blight**
* Plant disease-resistant varieties.
* Practice crop rotation by not planting tomatoes in the same location year after year.
* Water plants at the base to avoid wetting the foliage.
* Mulch around plants to suppress weeds and retain moisture.
* Remove infected leaves and plant debris promptly.
* Keep the garden clean of weeds and debris.
* Use a fungicide as a preventive measure in areas where blight is common.
## Additional Tips
* **Use a floating row cover:** This can help protect plants from wind-borne spores and insects that can spread disease.
* **Space plants properly:** This allows for good air circulation and reduces the risk of disease.
* **Avoid overwatering:** Overwatering can create conditions that favor blight.
* **Fertilize properly:** Fertilizing plants with a balanced fertilizer can help them grow strong and healthy, making them more resistant to disease.
* **Monitor plants regularly:** Inspect plants regularly for signs of disease and take action promptly if any symptoms appear.
By following these tips, you can help prevent and treat tomato blight, ensuring a bountiful harvest of healthy tomatoes.