Most commercial tomato hybrids are determinate, having a restricted branching and fruiting pattern and branches terminating in a flower cluster. These varieties are preferred for commercial production because the harvest period is more concentrated and the plants are more compact and bushlike, making optimal spacing more predictable and facilitating cultivation. Many home garden varieties, some commercial staking varieties, and some cherry tomato varieties are indeterminate, continuing to produce new branches and flowers throughout the growing season.

Type Verticillium1 Fusarium

Ground culture

Sunstart (64)2 H H

Spitfire (68) H H

Sunrise (69) H H

Mountain Spring (71) H H

Sunbright (73) H H

Mountain Delight (73) H H

Sunbeam (74) H H

Mountain Fresh (75) H H

Mountain Pride (79) H H

Trellis/Stake

Sunleaper (70) H H

Mountain Spring (71) H H

SunGem (72) H H

Sunbright (73) H H

Mountain Delight (73) H H

Sunbeam (74) H H

Mountain Fresh (75) H H

Mountain Pride (79) H H

Plum

BHN 410 (76) H H

LaRossa (78) H H

Cherry

Sun Gold (orange) (60) H H

Sweet 100 (62) H H

Mountain Bell (68) H H

1: L = low, M = moderate, and H = high level of tolerance to pest/problem. When disease tolerance for a particular variety is unknown, line is left blank.

2: Days to maturity.

26.2 Planting Methods

Because tomatoes are sensitive to frost, transplants are seldom put in the field before May 10 in upstate New York. The latest plantings for fall harvest are at the end of June. Transplants are grown in greenhouses at 70° to 75°F day and 60° to 65°F night temperatures. Bottom heat (75°F) improves emergence. For early market, a two to three inch cell for each plant in the flat is recommended. Plants are usually six to seven weeks old and just showing buds when taken to the field.

Before transplanting to the field, tomato seedlings should be hardened by withholding water and nitrogen, not by exposure to cold temperatures. Transplants exposed to cold (60° to 65°F day and 50° to 60°F night) for one week or longer are more prone to catfacing, a serious physiological disorder that can reduce marketable yield substantially.

Table 26.2.1 Recommended spacing.

Type Row (feet) In-row (inch)

Ground culture

Determinate 4-5 15-24

Indeterminate 5-6 24-36

Trellis 5 18-24

Staking and pruning can hasten early fruit production by a week or more, protect fruit quality, and facilitate harvest. The cost-effectiveness of this system depends, in part, on the prices paid for early and high quality fruit. Wooden stakes, four to five feet long and one inch square, are generally used; they are driven one foot into the ground between every other plant in the row. Weather-resistant twine is tied to an end stake, passed along one side of the plants, and looped around each stake until the end of the row. The process is repeated on the other side of the plants. A short length of metal conduit or PVC pipe is often used as an extension of the stringer’s arm, with the twine fed through the tube. The first stringing is at an eight to ten inch height when the plants are 12 to 16 inches tall. The next stringing is six to eight inches higher and applied before the plants start to fall over. It may be necessary to string three or four times.

Pruning will result in a lower total yield, but the fruits produced will tend to be larger, and the first set may mature a few days early. Pruning involves removing all suckers (when they are two to four inches long) up to the one immediately below the first flower cluster. More severe pruning is not recommended because it will cause leaf curl and plant stunting. Some growers prune only one or two suckers or none at all, particularly if the variety does not have a vigorous growth habit. Plants should be pruned before the first stringing and not when they are wet because this could spread disease.

26.3 Fertility

Maintain a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. Zinc may be needed if the organic matter is low and the pH is greater than 7. If these conditions exist, apply zinc sulfate in the transplant water. For transplants, add 1/2 pound zinc sulfate in 100 gallons of transplant water for a 0.2 percent solution. See Tables 26.3.1 and 26.3.2 for the recommended rates of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Table 26.3.1 Recommended nutrients based on soil tests for transplants in bare ground.
N pounds/acre	P2O5 pounds/acre			K2O pounds/acre			Comments
	Soil Phosphorus Level			Soil Potassium Level
	low	med.	high	low	med.	high
*100*	*150*	*100*	50	*180*	*120*	60	*Total recommended*

50	150	100	50	180	120	60	Broadcast and disk-in.¹
50	0	0	0	0	0	0	Apply when first clusters set fruit.²

1: If equipment is available, apply half of the phosphorus and potassium in bands 4" deep and 4” from the row at planting.

2: Nitrogen can be applied as a split application. Apply half at fruit set and the rest when fruit are 1” in diameter.

Table 26.3.2 Recommended nutrients based on soil tests for transplants in plastic mulch.
N pounds/acre	P2O5 pounds/acre			K2O pounds/acre			Comments
	Soil Phosphorus Level			Soil Potassium Level
	low	med.	high	low	med.	high
*100*	*150*	*100*	60	*180*	*120*	60	*Total recommended*

40	90	40	0	120	60	0	Broadcast and disk-in.¹
20	20	20	20	20	20	20	Apply 1 week after transplanting
20	20	20	20	20	20	20	Apply when 1^st are 1” in size
20	20	20	20	20	20	20	Apply when 1^st fruit turn color

1: If equipment is available, apply half of the phosphorus and potassium in bands 4” deep and 4” from the row at planting.

26.4 Harvesting

Fresh-market tomatoes, especially those that will be shipped, may be dumped from field or transport containers into large tanks of water to prevent bruising immediately after harvest. Water temperature in dump tanks should be slightly higher (5° to 10°F) than fruit temperature to prevent the movement of bacteria into the stem end of the fruit. Fruit are usually washed with a water spray immediately after the dumping operation regardless of whether a wet or dry dumping method is used. Only chlorinated water should be used. See Section 10.1 in the Postharvest Handling chapter.

Tomatoes should be stored between 55° and 70°F and 90 to 95 percent relative humidity. Chilling injury can develop if temperatures are below 50°F for more than 24 hours. Tomatoes ripen more quickly as temperatures increase; although they ripen faster at 75°F than at 70°F, they will have a better color to firmness ratio at 70°F. Temperatures above 80°F will inhibit red color development. Tomatoes harvested at mature green can be held for up to two weeks at 55°F. Ripening of mature green fruit can be initiated by a 24 to 48 hour exposure to 100 to 150 parts per million of ethylene at 70°F and 85 to 90 percent relative humidity.

Table 26.4.1 Nonpathogenic disorders.
Disorder	Recommendation
Blossom end rot (BER)	Characterized by a large, leathery brown or black spot on the bottom of the fruit caused by a calcium deficiency. Test the soil to make sure calcium levels are adequate, and maintain uniform moisture. Varieties vary in susceptibility.
Catface	Severe scarring on the blossom end of the fruit, usually most severe on the earliest fruit of large fruited varieties. Temperatures during fruit set of 60° to 65°F during the day and 50° to 55°F at night aggravate the problem. Do not harden transplants by lowering the temperature.
Fruit cracking	Due to rapid uptake of water by the fruit, as a result of heavy rain or watering. Choose crack resistant varieties, and maintain uniform soil moisture by mulching and steady watering.
Yellow or green shoulders	Tops of fruit never ripen completely. This is a genetic problem that can be eliminated by growing plants with the uniform ripening gene. See Section 26.1 Recommended Varieties.
Blossom drop	Due to daytime temperatures in excess of 90°F and nightime temperatures over 80°F. Varieties vary in susceptibility.
Sunscald	Symptoms appear as a yellow to white water-soaked area on the side of the fruit exposed to the sun. Ensure plants are adequately fertilized, so healthy foliage shades fruit. Do not prune plants after fruit has formed.
Internal browning/ blotchy ripening/graywall	Fruit ripens slowly and unevenly. Exact cause is unknown but may be related to tomato mosaic virus (TMV); cloudy, moist, cool weather; soil compaction; or low potassium levels

26.5 Disease Management

26.5.1 Bacterial canker, Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis; Bacterial speck, Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato; and Bacterial spot, Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria

Time for concern: Canker - plant emergence through harvest; Speck - planting until first formed fruits are one third their final size; Spot - early flowering and fruit setting period

Key characteristics: Canker - early symptoms of the disease include wilting, curling of leaflets, and browning of leaves, often only on one side of the plant. Leaf lesions up to 1/4 inch in diameter appear on the upper leaf surface and/or slightly raised spots 1/16 inch in diameter appear. Marginal burning of the leaves is common, giving the leaves a scorched appearance. White spots 1/8 inch in diameter develop on exposed fruit surfaces. The spots have a dark brown center surrounded by a distinct, white halo. Speck - leaf symptoms consist of black lesions, 1/8 to 1/4 inch, with a discrete yellow halo. The lesions of spot are similar but tend to have a greasy appearance, whereas those of speck do not. Lesions are slightly raised and 1/16 inch in diameter. Spot - leaves show small, irregular, dark lesions which can coalesce and cause the leaves to yellow. Infection causes early blossom drop. On green fruit, small, water-soaked spots are first noticed. These spots become raised, with irregular, brown, sunken centers, 1/8 to 1/4 inch in diameter. See References 1 and 2.

*Management Option*	*Recommendation*
Scouting/thresholds	If bacterial diseases are a problem, record the type of disease and severity. No thresholds are available. Scout greenhouses on a weekly basis looking for any signs of leaf spots or inappropriate wilting among plants.
Note(s)	If canker becomes severe early in the season, the field should be plowed down to prevent spread to nearby, healthy fields. When affected plants are found throughout a field, not more than 100 plants per acre should be removed in an attempt to restrict spread. Pulling out more is of little benefit.
Resistant varieties	No resistant varieties are available.
Crop rotation	Minimum two year rotation for speck and spot. Minimum three year rotation for canker. Rotate tomato and pepper crops with nonhost crops.
Site selection	Keep fields away from cull piles and eliminate volunteer plants.
Seed selection/treatment	Plant disease-free seed or seed that has been hot water treated. Soak seeds at 122°F for 25 minutes. Following treatment, plunge the hot seeds into cold water, dry on newspaper, and dust with thiram. Freshly harvested seed withstands the heat treatment better than one or two-year-old seed. If bacterial diseases are a major concern, dip seed in a solution containing one quart of Clorox, four quarts of water, and half a teaspoon of surfactant for one minute. Provide constant agitation. Use at a rate of one gallon of solution per pound of seed. Prepare a fresh solution for each batch of seed. Wash seed with running water for five minutes, dry thoroughly, and treat with thiram.
Transplants	When using southern transplants, be sure they are certified. If they are not, return them. Transplants can be inspected and rejected by a New York State Agriculture and Markets inspector. There is no charge for this service. Begin sprays shortly after transplanting and repeat every seven to ten days if rain and warm temperatures occur.
Sanitation	Greenhouse: All tables, flats, containers, hoses, etc. should be disinfested prior to use. Only sterilized potting mix or soil and pots or flats should be used. Some growers have successfully cleaned surfaces using products such as Greenshield and Zero Tol.
	Plant Handling: Keep varieties separated in the greenhouse to help identify problematic varieties. Handle only when foliage is dry. Do NOT mechanically clip or top plants. If a bacterial disease is detected in the greenhouse, consider all plants at that location infected. Do NOT attempt to separate healthy from diseased plants. Contaminated plants may not yet be showing symptoms. New crates and boxes should be used to ship plants. Reusable plastic or wooden containers need to be disinfested. Do NOT dip or water transplants in crates or boxes. Clean all transplanting equipment before and after each use.

*Management Option*			*Recommendation*
			Field: All stakes shoud be disinfested if they are to be reused. Steam treat or wash in bleach solution or disinfectant. Do NOT enter fields when wet. Damage to plants may provide an entry site for bacteria. Clippers and pruning tools should be disinfested between plantings and rows. Incorporate infected plants into the soil to encourage decomposition of debris.
Compound(s)
Common name		Rate/A		PHI	REI	Field
	Trade name	Product		(days)	(hours)	Use EIQ	Comments
acibenzolar-S-methyl
	Actigard	0.33-0.75 oz		14	12	<1	Actigard (Group P1) acts as a plant activator and should be applied preventatively before disease is observed in the field, and on a 7-day schedule. Registered for control of bacterial speck and spot. Addition of this product will also aid in the control or fungal diseases.
copper compounds
	Champ F or OLF	1.33 pt		0	24	19	Label varies with manufacturer and formulation.
famoxadone + cymoxanil
	##Tanos 50 DF + protectant	8 oz		3	12	3	##2(ee) Tanos (Groups 11 + 27) is labeled for the suppression of bacterial spot and speck, and for bacterial canker. For best results, tank-mix Tanos, with a full rate of a copper-containing fungicide (M1). When targeting both bacteria and Early blight, Late blight, or Septoria leaf spot, tank-mix Tanos with a copper fungicide (M1) and a protectant like chlorothalonil (M5) or mancozeb (M3). Do not make more then one application of the Tanos mixture before alternating with a fungicide that has a different mode of action.
mancozeb + copper hydroxide
	ManKocide	2.5-5 lb		5	24	73-147
streptomycin sulfate
	Agri-mycin 17 or OLF	1/2 lb/ 50 gallons		-	12		Agri-mycin and OLF (Group 25) are labeled for control of bacterial spot, begin application in the 2-3 leaf stage and only for use piror to transplanting. Not for use in the field.
zoxamide + mancozeb
	*Gavel 75 DF	1.5-2 lb		5	48	30-40	When applying *Gavel (Groups 22 + M3) use the full rate of fixed copper fungicide in tank-mix combinations with the full rate of Gavel for bacterial speck and spot control.
*Restricted use only

26.5.2 Bacterial soft rot, Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora

Time for concern: Harvest and postharvest

Key characteristics: Small, sunken, light to dark colored, water-soaked areas appear on fruit, usually near injuries or natural openings. See Reference 1.

*Management Option*	*Recommendation*
Scouting/thresholds	Record the occurrence and severity of bacterial soft rot. No thresholds are available.
Resistant varieties	No resistant varieties are available.
Crop rotation	Rotation is not effective because soft rot organisms are always present in the environment.
Site selection	Pick fields with good air circulation. Stay out of the field when foliage is wet.
Postharvest	The addition of chlorine in postharvest wash treatments can prevent the spread of decaying bacteria by killing the organism on contact. See Section 10.1 in the Postharvest Handling chapter. Make sure wash water is properly chlorinated or water will spread disease. Keep wash temperature higher than fruit temperature to minimize water/bacteria absorbtion.
Seed selection/treatment and Sanitation	These are not currently viable management options.
Compound(s)	No pesticides are available to manage bacterial soft rot.

26.5.3 Damping-off, Pythium spp. and Rhizoctonia spp.

Time for concern: Transplant production

Key characteristics: Pythium causes a dark colored, water-soaked lesion on the root extending to the stem above the soil line. This causes the seedling to fall over. Rhizoctonia causes brown, reddish brown, or black lesions near the soil line. The stem becomes soft, and the plant falls over and dies. See Reference 1.

*Management Option*			*Recommendation*
Scouting/thresholds			Record the severity and occurrence of damping-off. No thresholds are available.
Resistant varieties			No resistant varities are available.
Seed selection/treatment			Use high quality seed in transplant production. Seed should be treated by seed suppliers with a fungicide. Grow plants under optimal temperatures, moisture, and nutrition. Use synthetic media. If reusing flats, sterilize properly.
Crop rotation, Site selection, Postharvest, and Sanitation			These are not currently viable management options.
Compound(s)
Common name		Rate/A		PHI	REI	Field
	Trade name	Product		(days)	(hours)	Use EIQ	Comments
mefenoxam
	Ridomil Gold EC or OLF	1 pt		7	48	14	Apply at planting.
	Ridomil Gold GR	20 lb		7	48	15	Apply at planting.
Streptomyces griseoviridis
	Mycostop	1-2 g/yd³		-	4	-	Mix into potting media. See label for drench applications.

26.5.4 Early blight, Alternaria tomatophila, A. solani

Time for concern: All stages of plant development

Key characteristics: Lesions first appear in the field as small, brownish black target spots on older foliage. Lesions next appear on younger leaves. The earlier the maturity of a variety, the more susceptible it is to early blight.

*Management Option*			*Recommendation*
Scouting/thresholds			Record disease severity for each of five 30 foot sections of row, distributed throughout the field.
Forecasting			Use the TOM-CAST system to setup a fungicide program. Daily data on temperature and hours of leaf wetness will be needed to determine daily severity values. To learn more about this system, see Reference 3.
Resistant varieties			Early-maturing varieties should be carefully monitored as they require earlier sprays and serve as inoculum sources throughout the season.
Crop rotation			Minimum two year rotation away from tomato and potato crops.
Site selection			Avoid weedy fields or fields with volunteer tomato plants.
Seed selection/treatment			Plant disease-free seed or seed that has been hot water treated. Hot water treatment is recommended to destroy seedborne fungi. Soak seed at 122°F for 25 minutes. Following treatment, plunge the hot seeds into cold water, dry on newspaper, and dust with thiram. Freshly harvested seed withstands the heat treatment better than one or two-year-old seed. For a more complete description of the hot water treatment, see Reference 2.
Transplants			Plant only disease-free transplants.
Postharvest and Sanitation			These are not currently viable management options.
Compound(s)
Common name		Rate/A		PHI	REI	Field
	Trade name	Product		(days)	(hours)	Use EIQ	Comments
azoxystrobin
	Quadris F	5-6.0 fl oz		0	4	1	Do not apply more than 1 sequential foliar application of these products or other strobilurin (Group 11) before alternating with a fungicide that has a different mode of action. Do not spray these products where spray drift may reach apple trees or use same sprayer to apply sprays to apple trees.
	Amistar 80 WDG	1.6-2 oz		0	4	1-2
azoxystrobin + chlorothalonil
	Quadris Opti	1.6 pt		0	12	42
Bacillus pumilis
	Sonata	2-4 qt		0	4		Approved for field and greenhouse use. For improved performance, mix with a fungicide labeled for early blight control. When used alone, products are recommended for certified organic production if approved by sanctioning body.
Bacillus subtilis
	Serenade MAX	1-3 lb		0	4
boscalid
	Endura 70 WDG	2.5-3.5 oz		0	12	5-7	Do not make more than 2 sequential applications of Endura (Group 7) before alternating to a labeled fungicide with a different mode of action. Endura does not provide control of Late Blight, so make sure to include a good protectant fungicide (chlorothalonil, maneb or mancozeb) in the tank-mix if Late blight is a threat.

Compound(s)
Common name		Rate/A	PHI	REI	Field
	Trade name	Product	(days)	(hours)	Use EIQ	Comments
chlorothalonil
	Bravo, Equus or OLF 6 lb/gal	1.35 pt	0	12	29	Note eye wash requirement and reduced seasonal amounts for shortened reentry interval on label.
Copper compounds
	Champ F or OLF	1.3-2 pt	0	24	19-29	Begin application when disease first appears. Label varies with manufacturer and formulation.
famoxadone + cymoxanil
	Tanos 50 DF + protectant	6-8 oz	3	12	1-3	See comments below.
For Early blight control, use the 8 oz rate when disease is present in the area or if weather conditions favor disease development. Tanos (Groups 11 and 27) must be tank-mixed with a protectant fungicide mancozeb (Group M3) or chlorothalonil (Group M5). Do not make more then one application of the Tanos mixture before alternating with a fungicide that has a different mode of action.
fenamidone
	†*Reason 500 SC	5.5-8.2 fl oz	14	12	3-5	See comments below.
†Not for use or sale in Nassau or Suffolk Counties. For optimum results, begin applications of †Reason (Group 11) when environmental conditions become favorable for disease development. Do not make more than one application of †Reason before alternating with a fungicide effective for early blight control that belongs to a fungicide group with a different mode of action (other than Group 11). †*Reason is also labeled for Late blight and suppression of Septoria leaf spot.
mancozeb
	Dithane 75DF or OLF 0.75 lb/lb	1.5-3 lb	5	24	16-33
maneb
	Maneb 75DF 0.75 lb/lb	1.5-3 lb	5	24	16-33
pyraclostrobin
	Cabrio EG	8-12 oz	0	12		Not for aerial application in NYS. Do not make more than 2 sequential applications before alternating to a labeled fungicide with a different mode of action (other than Group 11).
pyrimethanil
	Scala SC + protectant	7 fl oz	1	12		See comments below.
Use only in a tank mix with another fungicide labeled for control of early blight. Scala (Group 9) does not provide control of Late Blight, so make sure to include a good protectant fungicide (chlorothalonil, maneb or mancozeb) in the tank-mix if Late blight is a threat. May be applied in a well-ventilated plastic tunnel or glass house. Ventilate for at least 2 hours after application and observe 1day to harvest requirement.
trifloxystrobin
	Flint	2-3 oz	3	12	2-3	See usage comments for this strobilurin fungicide (Group 11) under Quadris above.
ziram
	Ziram 76 DF 0.76 lb/lb	3-4 lb	7	48	59-79	Not for use on cherry or grape tomatoes.
zoxamide + mancozeb
	*Gavel 75 DF	1.5-2 lb	5	48	30-40	*Gavel 75DF is a mixture of two products (Groups 22 and M3) and is also labeled for Late blight, Leaf mold and Septoria leaf spot control. Do not make more than 8 applications or apply more than 16 lb per acre per season.
*Restricted use only		(†) Not for use in Nassau/Suffolk Counties

26.5.5 Anthracnose, Colletotrichum coccodes

Time for concern: Ripe fruit

Key characteristics: Symptoms appear on ripe fruit as small, sunken, water-soaked, circular spots. The lesions increase in size, and the central portion darkens. The darkened area contains many small, fungal structures from which masses of salmon-colored spores are released in moist weather. See Reference 4.

*Management Option*			*Recommendation*
Scouting/thresholds			Wet, warm weather promotes disease development, and splashing water spreads the disease. Anthracnose is easiest to observe on fruit. It is most severe on the underside of red fruit in the first cluster, the cluster closest to the ground. No thresholds are available.
Resistant varieties			No resistant varieties are available.
Crop rotation			Minimum three to four year crop rotation which excludes crops in the solanaceous family is recommended. The fungus grows on tomato roots, which add to the inoculum in the soil.
Site selection			Tomatoes should be planted in fields with good air drainage. Trellissing and mulching will reduce severity.
Seed selection/treatment			Plant disease-free seed or seed that has been hot water treated. Hot water treatment is recommended to destroy seedborne fungi. Soak seed at 122°F for 25 minutes. Following treatment, plunge the hot seeds into cold water, dry on newspaper, and dust with thiram. Freshly harvested seed withstands heat treatment better than one or two-year-old seed.
Postharvest			Plow under crop residue to initiate decompositions.
Sanitation			This is not a currently viable management option.
Compound(s)
Common name		Rate/A		PHI	REI	Field
	Trade name	Product		(days)	(hours)	Use EIQ	Comments
azoxystrobin
	Quadris F	5-6.0 fl oz		0	4	1	Do not apply more than 1 sequential foliar application of these products or other strobilurins (Group 11) before alternating with a fungicide that has a different mode of action. Do not spray these products where spray drift may reach apple trees or use same sprayer to apply sprays to apple trees.
	Amistar 80 WDG	1.6-2 oz		0	4	1-2
azoxystrobin + chlorothalonil
	Quadris Opti	1.6 pt		0	12	42
chlorothalonil
	Bravo, Equus or OLF 6 lb/gal	1.35 pt		0	12	29	Note eye wash requirement and reduced seasonal amounts for shortened reentry interval on label.
Copper compounds
	Champ F or OLF	1.3-2 2/3 pt		0	24	19-34	Label varies with manufacturer and formulation. Begin application when disease first threatens.
famoxadone + cymoxanil
	Tanos 50 DF + protectant	8 oz		3	12	3	Tanos (Groups 11 and 27) must be tank-mixed with a contact fungicide (chlorothalonil [M5], maneb, or mancozeb [M3]). Do not make more then one application of the Tanos mixture before alternating with a fungicide that has a different mode of action. Do not tank-mix with other Group 11 fungicides.

Compound(s)
Common name		Rate/A	PHI	REI	Field
	Trade name	Product	(days)	(hours)	Use EIQ	Comments
mancozeb
	Dithane 75DF or OLF	1.5-3 lb	5	24	16-33
maneb
	Maneb 75DF 0.75 lb/lb	1.5-3 lb	5	24	16-33
	Manex 4 lb/gal	1.2-2.4 qt	5	24	24-48
pyraclostrobin
	Cabrio EG	8-12 oz	0	12		Not for aerial application in NYS. Do not make more than 2 sequential applications of this strobilurin fungicide (Group 11) before alternating to a labeled fungicide with a different mode of action.
trifloxystrobin
	Flint	3-4 oz	3	12	3-4	For disease suppression. See usage comments for this strobilurin fungicide (Group 11) under Quadris above.
ziram
	Ziram 76 DF 0.76 lb/lb	3-4 lb	7	48	59-79	Not for use on cherry or grape tomatoes.

26.5.6 Septoria leaf spot, Septoria lycopersici

Time for concern: Any stage of plant development

Key characteristics: Small, water-soaked, circular spots, 1/16 to 1/8 inch in diameter, first appear on the underside of older leaves. The center of the spots are gray or tan, and spots have a dark brown margin. Spots grow to 1/4 inch in diameter. In the center of the spots, there are many dark brown, pimple-like structures. Rapid defoliation will occur in severe cases. See Reference 5.

*Management Option*	*Recommendation*
Scouting/thresholds	The optimal temperature for infection is 77°F, but infection can occur at temperatures from 59° to 81°F. Spores may be spread by water, the hands and clothing of pickers, insects, or equipment. Scheduling fungicide applications using TOM-CAST should provide good control. Record the occurrence and severity of infected plants. No thresholds are available.
Resistant varieties	No resistant varieties are available.
Crop rotation	Minimum one year rotation away from tomatoes.
Site selection	Pick fields with good air circulation. Make sure perennial weed hosts such as horsenettle are eliminated before planting. Stay out of fields when wet. Trellissing and mulching may reduce severity.
Seed selection/treatment	Plant disease-free seed or seed that has been hot water treated.
Transplants	If infected plants are found, rogue seedlings before transplanting them into the field.
Postharvest	Remove or destroy tomato debris by deep plowing immediately after harvest.
Sanitation	This is not a currently viable management option.

Compound(s)
Common name		Rate/A	PHI	REI	Field
	Trade name	Product	(days)	(hours)	Use EIQ	Comments
azoxystrobin
	Quadris F	5-6.0 fl oz	0	4	1	Do not apply more than 1 sequential foliar application of these products or other strobilurin fungicides (Group 11), before alternating with a fungicide that has a different mode of action. Do not spray these products where spray drift may reach apple trees or use same sprayer to apply sprays to apple trees.
	Amistar 80WDG	1.6-2 oz	0	4	1-2
azoxystrobin + chlorothalonil
	Quadris Opti	1.6 pt	0	12	42
chlorothalonil
	Bravo, Equus or OLF 6 lb/gal	1.35 pt	0	12	29	Note eye wash requirement and reduced seasonal amounts for shortened reentry interval on label.
Copper compounds
	Champ F or OLF	1.3-2 2/3 pt	0

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