Brown rot on tomatoes: recognizing and getting rid of it

Tomato diseases: Blight and late blight

Phytophthora infestans is a soil-borne pathogen and usually reaches the above-ground parts of the plant via spray water. The fungal spores are in or on the soil and are then catapulted onto the leaves by rain or unfavorable watering, only here does the plant become infected. The most important countermeasure is therefore to reduce splashing water when it rains or when watering. You can find more information on this in the section "Preventing late blight and brown rot".

The spores of the fungus serve to multiply and spread; they usually overwinter in seed potatoes and wait for favorable conditions in early summer. From May/June, they can be transferred to other potatoes or tomato plants by the wind or water spray. Under humid conditions, the spores germinate, forming motile zoospores that first infect the leaves in the initial stage and later also the stems and fruit.

Recognizing late blight: Damage pattern on tomatoes

The leaves close to the ground are usually affected by late blight first. Olive-brown spots and a delicate, whitish turf of spores form on the underside of the leaves. You can therefore identify the disease for the first time in its early stages on the leaves. However, if you take immediate action against the fungal disease, you can still save your protégés! The brown spots eventually spread to the leaves and stems. Over time, the leaves turn black, start to wilt and eventually die. Brownish-black spots also form on the fruit. The tomatoes then become hard and rot. If your stems and fruit are also affected, brown and late blight is already at an advanced stage. Here again, mobile zoospores are formed, which are spread via water droplets and can infect new parts of the plant. The risk of infection by Phytophthora is greatest in damp weather at around 15 °C. Potatoes show similar symptoms on the leaves and stems until the tubers finally start to rot in the soil. To save your plants after infection with blight, you should definitely remove the infected plant parts from the bed and dispose of them in the household waste, as otherwise the disease can spread further. Never dispose of the leaves in your compost, as the spores will end up back in your beds via the humus!

Prevent & avoid brown rot: 6 tips

There are several measures you can take to prevent late blight. We give you 6 tips for healthy tomato plants! You can find more tips on caring for your tomato plants in this article.

Maintain plant spacing for tomatoes

Plant your tomatoes with a distance of 70 cm between the individual plants, the leaves should not touch each other later. If you still want to save space when gardening, fill the gaps with other vegetable plants that are not affected by the fungus. Suitable mixed cultivation partners include bush beans, lettuce and herbs such as basil or nasturtium. The gap planting acts as a barrier between the individual tomato plants, so that the spread of Phytophthora can be reduced. Choose low-growing neighbors here so that the lower tomato leaves continue to be well ventilated. It is also a good idea to grow the tomatoes in single rows to reduce the pressure from late blight.

Watering tomatoes close to the ground

As Phytophthora is transmitted via splashing water, correct watering is one of the most important preventative measures. Make sure to water your tomatoes as close to the ground as possible and keep the leaves dry. One common method, for example, is to bury a plastic pot directly next to each tomato so that it protrudes slightly above the ground. The pot then acts as a kind of funnel and transports the water directly to the roots where the plant needs it. This prevents splashing water and the soil around the plant does not silts up so easily.

Growing tomatoes under cover

Tomatoes are usually grown under foil roofs to protect them from late blight and brown rot. The reason is the same: When it rains, the drops hit the ground from high above and create splash water, which wets the stems and leaves and transmits the fungus. If you cover your soil with mulch, you can also avoid splashing water. Even when growing under cover, it is important that the tomato crop is well ventilated from both sides. The protective structure should therefore be open to the sides so that the air can circulate properly. Also choose a location for your plants that is as sunny as possible so that they dry out better in damp conditions.

Plant hygiene: defoliation and spraying

As soon as your tomatoes are big enough, you can remove the leaves below the first blossom. This will reduce the surface area that can easily become infested near the ground. Spray your tomatoes with horsetail tea several times a week from mid-June to strengthen them against fungal diseases. Horsetail tea is a proven household remedy against fungal diseases such as late blight. However, you should stop the treatment shortly before harvesting, as the taste of the fruit may be affected. Dusting the plants with seaweed lime or rock flour can also help to minimize blight infestation via the leaves. Loose soil without waterlogging is also an important prerequisite for healthy, resistant plants.

Choose resistant tomato varieties

There are no absolutely resistant tomato varieties that cannot be affected by late blight. However, there are varieties that are more resistant than others. These include "Philovita", "De Berao", "Harzfeuer", "Primavera" and "Phantasia". However, the varieties 'Vladivostok', 'Legend' and 'Matina' are also quite resistant to late blight. These robust tomato varieties are more suitable for outdoor cultivation, but also benefit from the measures described above to reduce late blight. We explain how you can find the right tomato variety for you in this article.

Regular checks for tomato diseases

Check your plants regularly from mid-June to detect an infestation early and be able to intervene. This significantly increases your chances of saving your tomato plants and harvest. It is often the case that Phytophthora spreads rapidly in tomato crops towards the end of the season. However, if you carefully follow the recommended preventative measures, you can delay the spread of the pathogen until after the last harvest or prevent it completely. It is important to be vigilant at all times and to react in good time and in the early stages of an infestation!

Tomatoes with blight: what to do?

If your tomato plants have been infected with late blight, there are a few things you can do to save your tomatoes. However, you must act quickly to prevent the disease from spreading in your bed or garden. It is not just a tomato disease, potatoes and strawberries are also often affected by this disease. You can find out what you can do in the event of an infestation below.

Remove diseased plant parts and dispose of in household waste

Infested plant parts such as leaves and fruit must be identified promptly and removed immediately. Dispose of the infested parts in household waste, the spores are very long-lived and robust and should therefore not be composted. Good hygiene is also important here. All objects that are in contact with the tomato plants should be disinfected (secateurs, sticks, climbing aids). Boiling water or a gas burner is sufficient for this.

Observe crop rotation and mixed cultivation

Potatoes can also be affected by Phytophthora, so be careful not to plant them directly next to tomatoes. Instead, choose good neighbors for tomatoes in your mixed crop, such as garlic, spinach or nasturtium. With the right plant neighbors, your tomato plants will develop more robustly and be more resistant to diseases. Also choose a wide crop rotation for the susceptible plants so that no tomatoes or potatoes follow directly after each other. As tomatoes are self-compatible, they are often grown in the same place every year. As long as the plants grow healthily and all preventative measures are observed, there is nothing to be said against a perennial tomato bed. However, as soon as late blight appears, you should mix the plants in your beds more thoroughly so as not to support the pathogen unnecessarily. A covered tomato bed can be used as such for longer than one in the open air. You can find out more about growing tomatoes in mixed cultivation with good and bad neighbors in our article. Here you will also find tips on crop rotation and crop rotation.

Home remedies for blight and late blight: horsetail tea & compost tea

Horsetail tea is a tried and tested household remedy for preventing and combating late blight. It is mainly used as a preventative measure to prevent infestation. However, horsetail broth can also help to strengthen and save your plants in the event of a mild infestation. Another home remedy for fungal diseases is compost tea, which also helps to prevent late blight. You can find out how to make and use comp ost tea in this article.

Mixed cultivation with tomatoes against diseases and pests: your planting plans

To get the healthiest tomato plants possible, you need the right care and as much diversity in your bed as possible. Good neighbors next to your tomatoes will help them grow healthy and strong. These include cabbage, spinach, lettuce, basil, corn, chives, cress, peppers and chilies. We have prepared some bed layouts for mixed cultivation with tomatoes in the open field, greenhouse or on the balcony to give you some inspiration.

Prevention is the be-all and end-all when it comes to late blight. If grown correctly, you can get your tomato plants through the season in good health, so nothing stands in the way of a bountiful tomato harvest.

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