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Late Blight and Early Blight Information
Tomatoes and potatoes are a staple in most households. These crops are quite sensitive to many diseases, including late blight and early blight. Understanding the causes, characteristics, and ways to prevent and treat infections from these diseases is essential to maintain the health of your crops and ensure high yield.
Late Blight
Late blight is a severe disease that affects tomatoes and potatoes. It is caused by Phytophthora infestans, a fungus-like organism. The disease thrives in wet and humid environments and can spread quickly, causing significant damage to the crops. Late blight can affect all parts of the plant, including leaves, stems, and fruits.
Symptoms of Late Blight
Late blight symptoms on the plant are easily recognizable. On the leaves, you’ll notice dark brown or black patches that appear water-soaked. The patches spread rapidly, turning the leaves yellow before they wilt and die. On the fruit, dark, sunken patches appear. The fruit quickly rots, becoming inedible.
Prevention and Control
The best way to prevent late blight is to practice good sanitation in the garden. Remove all infected plant debris, especially if you had the disease in the past. Ensure proper crop rotation. Also, avoid watering your plants at night to reduce the humidity level around your plants. Your alternative will be to water them in the morning.
If Late blight occurs despite preventive measures, remove any infected parts of the plant. Chemical control involving fungicides may be necessary to treat the disease.
Early Blight
Another severe disease that can affect your potatoes and tomatoes is early blight. It is caused by a fungus called Alternaria solani. It is common in humid regions and can affect the plant’s foliage, stems, and fruit.
Symptoms of Early Blight
Early blight symptoms may vary from one plant to another. However, one of the most visible signs is the appearance of round, dark spots that appear on the leaf’s lower part. As the disease progresses, the spots merge into large, irregular areas that destroy the leaves. The leaves then dry and fall off. On the fruit, dark sunken spots appear, and the area becomes tough and leathery.
Prevention and Control
Control and prevention measures for early blight are similar to those of late blight. Ensure proper plant spacing and avoid crowding. Rotate your crops, especially if you grow potatoes and tomatoes. Ensure good air circulation around your plants, and avoid overhead watering that leaves moisture on the leaf surface. Apply fungicides as a preventive measure.
In conclusion, both late blight and early blight can be severe diseases for your tomatoes and potatoes. Take measures to prevent and treat them as early as possible to maintain healthy and high yielding crops.