It is caused by the soil-borne fungus Sclerotium rolfsii and attacks a number of vegetable crops including bean, cantaloupe, carrot, pepper, potato, sweetpotato, tomato, watermelon and others. In addition, several field crops such as cotton, peanut, soybean, and tobacco are affected.
The fungus overwinters as sclerotia and in host debris in the soil. Make sure you turn soil over to a depth of 1 foot as the disease usually stays in the top 3 inches of soil.
Do not throw soil against plant parts during the growing season. Use organic fungicidal soaps and sprays to control other diseases and fungus's which may trigger blight to occur. Weeds should also be controlled early in the season because if they get a disease, it will spread to your crops.
Don't replant in a problem area until the soil has been solarized or fungicide applied to the area. Keep debris off the ground. Also, using raised beds with it's own set of soil, can prevent disease from reaching the leaves of plants in the beds from the usual soil around them.
Good air circulation and full sun aid in the battle against disease. Plant tomatoes where they get plenty of wind movement during the summer. Water at soil level not overhead. Soaker hoses are good for this purpose.
UPDATE: 4/15/01 Someone mentioned to me about using milk and water mix to control damping off disease. This really does save your seedlings. I'm thinking that because Damping Off is a disease, maybe the milk/water mix will keep other fungus disease off of plants outdoors as well. I'm thinking of trying this if I notice any disease on my plants by putting milk in a hose-end sprayer then spraying around the bases of the plants. If any of you try this, let me know if it works.
Go To Page: 1
