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How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines

| More pests | More crops | About guidelines |

Early blight fruit lesions.

Tomato

Early Blight

Pathogen: Alternaria solani

(Reviewed 1/08, updated 1/08)

In this Guideline:

SYMPTOMS

Plants infected with early blight develop small black or brown spots, usually about 0.25 to 0.5 inch (6–12 mm) in diameter, on leaves, stems, and fruit. Leaf spots are leathery and often have a concentric ring pattern. They usually appear on older leaves first. Spots on fruit are sunken, dry, and may also have a concentric pattern; frequently they occur near the calyx end of the fruit.

COMMENTS ON THE DISEASE

Early blight is not common in California; it occurs in coastal areas and mainly affects tomatoes exposed to rain. Damage can occur if conditions remain cool and humid for several days after a rain. The early blight fungus survives in the soil on residue of infected tomatoes, potatoes, and nightshade weeds. The fungus is spread by spores that are carried by the wind or splashed in water. Germination of spores and infection require free moisture. Disease development stops in dry, hot weather.

MANAGEMENT

Most California varieties are susceptible to early blight, but treatment is rarely needed because its occurrence is uncommon. Destroy volunteer tomato and potato plants and nightshades. Proper crop rotation is important to ensure infected plant debris decomposes. Treat when environmental conditions are favorable and the first sign of disease becomes apparent.

Common name Amount/Acre** R.E.I+ P.H.I.+
(trade name)   (hours) (days)
The following materials are listed in order of usefulness in an IPM program, taking into account efficacy. When choosing a pesticide, also consider information relating to environmental impact.
 
A. CHLOROTHALONIL
  (Bravo Weather Stik) 1.5–2 pt 12 0
  MODE OF ACTION GROUP NAME (NUMBER1): Multi-site contact (M5)
 
B. MANCOZEB
  (Dithane M-45) 80WP 1.5–2 lb 24 5
  (Dithane F-45) 37F 1.2–1.6 qt 24 5
  (Penncozeb) 75DF 1.5–2 lb 24 5
  MODE OF ACTION GROUP NAME (NUMBER1): Multi-site contact (M3)
  COMMENTS: Do not use more than 6.4 lb a.i./acre/crop.
 
C. MANEB 75 DF 1.5–2 lb 24 5
  MODE OF ACTION GROUP NAME (NUMBER1): Multi-site contact (M3)
  COMMENTS: For use on greenhouse and field tomatoes only. Do not exceed 8.5 lb/acre/season.
 
D. FIXED COPPER# Label rates — —
  MODE OF ACTION GROUP NAME (NUMBER1): Multi-site contact (M1)
  COMMENTS: Not all copper compounds are approved for use in organic production; be sure to check individual products.
 
E. BACILLUS SUBTILIS#
  (Serenade Max) 1–3 lb 4 0
  MODE OF ACTION: A biological fungicide.
  COMMENTS: For suppression begin applications when plants are 4-6 inches tall. Repeat on a 5-to-7-day interval or as needed.
 
 
**  See label for dilution rate.
+ Restricted entry interval (R.E.I.) is the number of hours (unless otherwise noted) from treatment until the treated area can be safely entered without protective clothing. Preharvest interval (P.H.I.) is the number of days from treatment until harvest can take place. In some cases the R.E.I. exceeds the P.H.I. The longer of these two intervals is the minimum time that must elapse before harvest may take place.
1 Group numbers are assigned by the Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC) according to different modes of actions (for more information, see http://www.frac.info/). Fungicides with a different group number are suitable to alternate in a resistance management program. In California, make no more than one application of fungicides with mode of action Group numbers 1, 4, 9, 11, or 17 before rotating to a fungicide with a different mode of action Group number; for fungicides with other Group numbers, make no more than two consecutive applications before rotating to fungicide with a different mode of action Group number.
# Acceptable for use on organically grown produce.

[Precautions]

PUBLICATION

[UC Peer Reviewed]

UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Tomato
UC ANR Publication 3470
Diseases
R. M. Davis, Plant Pathology, UC Davis
G. Miyao, UC Cooperative Extension, Solano/Yolo counties
K. Subbarao, USDA Agricultural Research Station, Salinas
J. J. Stapleton, UC IPM Program, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
Acknowledgments for contributions to the disease section:
B. W. Falk, Plant Pathology, UC Davis

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