Dark gray spots

kchd.. · June 1, 2016

I've never seen dark spots shaped like this on tomato plants before. It is only on my potato leaf variety, Big Cheef. We have not had any rain here for a month, so the foliage has been dry. It's only on a few of the leaves which are located high on the plant, not lower leaves. No sign of damage in the underside, only discolored on the top. I only see it on 4 leaves on a 3 ft tall plant. I'm not sure what it is. Hoping someone here can help me figure this out.

kchd.. · June 1, 2016

Well, I just found a leaf where it is visible underneath.

Cole_Robbie · June 1, 2016

It doesn't look good, whatever it is.

kchd.. · June 1, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cole_Robbie

It doesn't look good, whatever it is.

I know

All the plants have been mulched from the get-go to prevent soil from splashing up. I've been pruning to keep the foliage more open to allow for more air flow. And still...

jmsieglaff · June 1, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by kchd..

I know

All the plants have been mulched from the get-go to prevent soil from splashing up. I've been pruning to keep the foliage more open to allow for more air flow. And still...

I feel your pain. I do the same and it always happens. Comes in on the raindrops unfortunately.

b54red · June 1, 2016

Keep a close eye out for this spreading and watch the plant to make sure it is still growing. In a few days or a week if the new growth looks healthy then at least it isn't Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus which can start as just a rust like appearance on a few leaves in colors from dark yellow to black. If it is TSWV the plant growth will slow to a standstill and the new growth will take on an almost scorched appearance with some shriveling. Eventually the whole plant will take on an unhealthy appearance and eventually die.

Hopefully this is not what you are dealing with but I have last a few tomatoes and even more bell peppers to it this year so it is something to be aware of.

Bill

BigVanVader · June 1, 2016

Hate to say it but looks like TSWV to me. Hoping it isn't but I'd probably pull that plant and take it to your extension office if possible.

ginger2778 · June 1, 2016

I'm thinking it's Bacterial Speck.

AlittleSalt · June 1, 2016

I was thinking it looks like Bacterial Speck too.

I don't know anything about TSWV other than reading some hybrids have resistance to it.

kchd.. · June 1, 2016

I'm not sure if this helps diagnose, but it seems that the spots first appear at the stem end of the leaf and progress towards the tip.

kchd.. · June 1, 2016

kchd.. · June 2, 2016

The more I read about the differences between Bacterial Speck (and B. Spot) and Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus, the more I think that this is TSWV. I removed the 4 leaves showing signs and threw them in the trash.

Quote:

Originally Posted by b54red

Hopefully this is not what you are dealing with but I have last a few tomatoes and even more bell peppers to it this year so it is something to be aware of.

Bill

I'm considering pulling the whole plant and disposing of it to reduce any chances of it spreading to other plants. Bill, can you tell me your experience with it spreading to other plants? Is it rapid, random, infrequent, etc? And if I do find it on other plants, how long can I expect it to take for the entire plant to succumb? I'm just thinking out loud and weighing options, with consideration given to protecting the rest of the garden.

Dewayne mater · June 2, 2016

TSWV is vectored by thrips (western flower thrips). They are a major problem every year for me, though it took me years to realize it because they are so dang tiny. Primarily, they destroy tomato blossoms so you end up with much less fruit set, but, they can bring TSWV and mess up the whole operation. I don't know about air borne transmission, but, if you have thrips and TSWV, it is extremely easy for them to spread it to multiple plants. I would inspect for them and if you have them, start treating for them ASAP.

I'm not sure what really works on them. Some things that claim to treat them are Spinosad, neem oil, and pythrethrum. There are natural enemies available. Personally, I've not found anything that eliminates them, though perhaps I should try spraying more frequently to do a better job interrupting their life cycle.

Hopefully, it is bacterial speck, which will be much easier to treat. Good luck.

Dewayne mater

kchd.. · June 2, 2016

New photos from today. This does not look good. Black streaks on the stems may be the definitive sign of TSWV. I can't find any thrips on the plant, but maybe that's a good thing because then they aren't around to spread it.
I guess I better yank this plant today. Ugh!!

BigVanVader · June 2, 2016

Yep unfortunately you have TSWV. You most likely have thrips but don't know it.

June 1, 2016	#1
kchd.. Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: MS Posts: 211	Dark gray spots I've never seen dark spots shaped like this on tomato plants before. It is only on my potato leaf variety, Big Cheef. We have not had any rain here for a month, so the foliage has been dry. It's only on a few of the leaves which are located high on the plant, not lower leaves. No sign of damage in the underside, only discolored on the top. I only see it on 4 leaves on a 3 ft tall plant. I'm not sure what it is. Hoping someone here can help me figure this out.

June 1, 2016	#3
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	It doesn't look good, whatever it is.

June 1, 2016	#6
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	Keep a close eye out for this spreading and watch the plant to make sure it is still growing. In a few days or a week if the new growth looks healthy then at least it isn't Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus which can start as just a rust like appearance on a few leaves in colors from dark yellow to black. If it is TSWV the plant growth will slow to a standstill and the new growth will take on an almost scorched appearance with some shriveling. Eventually the whole plant will take on an unhealthy appearance and eventually die. Hopefully this is not what you are dealing with but I have last a few tomatoes and even more bell peppers to it this year so it is something to be aware of. Bill

June 1, 2016	#7
BigVanVader Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Greenville, South Carolina Posts: 3,099	Hate to say it but looks like TSWV to me. Hoping it isn't but I'd probably pull that plant and take it to your extension office if possible.

June 1, 2016	#8
ginger2778 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Plantation, Florida zone 10 Posts: 9,283	I'm thinking it's Bacterial Speck.

June 1, 2016	#9
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	I was thinking it looks like Bacterial Speck too. I don't know anything about TSWV other than reading some hybrids have resistance to it.

June 2, 2016	#13
Dewayne mater Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2008 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 1,212	TSWV is vectored by thrips (western flower thrips). They are a major problem every year for me, though it took me years to realize it because they are so dang tiny. Primarily, they destroy tomato blossoms so you end up with much less fruit set, but, they can bring TSWV and mess up the whole operation. I don't know about air borne transmission, but, if you have thrips and TSWV, it is extremely easy for them to spread it to multiple plants. I would inspect for them and if you have them, start treating for them ASAP. I'm not sure what really works on them. Some things that claim to treat them are Spinosad, neem oil, and pythrethrum. There are natural enemies available. Personally, I've not found anything that eliminates them, though perhaps I should try spraying more frequently to do a better job interrupting their life cycle. Hopefully, it is bacterial speck, which will be much easier to treat. Good luck. Dewayne mater