Autumn is an ideal season for tomato cultivation due to its moderate temperature and humidity, which are favorable for plant growth. However, this period also brings a higher risk of pests and diseases. Therefore, proper management is essential to ensure healthy crops. Before covering the plants with plastic film, it's crucial to implement preventive measures against common issues. Below are some typical pests and diseases that farmers should be aware of.
**Cracked Fruit**
Tomato cracking is a common physiological issue caused by water imbalance or genetic factors. To prevent it:
1. Choose crack-resistant varieties with thick, tough skin.
2. Maintain consistent soil moisture using mulch or rice straw.
3. Improve soil structure with organic fertilizers.
4. Prune moderately to promote foliage growth and reduce sun exposure.
5. Harvest tomatoes before heavy rain.
6. Apply foliar sprays during fruit development to strengthen the skin.
**Early Blight**
Symptoms include concentric lesions on leaves, stems, and fruits, often accompanied by black mold when wet. Prevention involves spraying 70% mancozeb WP diluted at 500 times or 75% chlorothalonil at 400 times, every 7 days for 3–4 applications.
**Leaf Mold**
This disease causes yellow spots on leaves, followed by brown mildew and leaf drop. Treat with 70% mancozeb WP (500x) combined with a new high-fat film, or spray 50% sickle WP at 800–1000x, repeating every 7 days.
**Gray Mold**
Common in flowering stages, gray mold affects flowers and fruits. Use 0.1% 50% iprodione WP or 50% acetamiprid WP in the nutrient solution. Adding a new high-fat film improves effectiveness. Rotate fungicides to avoid resistance.
**Viral Diseases**
Initial symptoms include mottled leaves and stunted growth. Control with 20% virus A WP at 500x or 800x dilution of virus spirit, applied every 7 days for 2–3 times.
**Late Blight**
Characterized by dark rot on stems and wilting leaves. Spray 40% phytomide WP at 300–400x, or use 5% chlorothalonil dust at 1 kg per acre in the evening.
**Umbilical Rot**
Causes sunken, dry spots on fruit. Apply 1% superphosphate, calcium nitrate, or British calcium, every 10 days for 2–3 applications.
**Leaf Spot**
Lesions appear as round, grayish-white spots with dark edges. Use 70% mancozeb WP (500x) or 50% carbendazim WP (500x), sprayed every 7 days for 3–4 times.
**Bacterial Wilt**
Plants wilt during the day and recover at night. Cut stems to check for white bacterial exudate. Apply 25% DT WP at 600x or 200 mg/L streptomycin irrigation, 0.5 kg per plant, every 7 days for 3–4 times.
**Insect Pests**
Cotton bollworms and aphids are common. For bollworms, use DT insecticides, Weiyuan Biochemical’s AWD salts, or similar products every 5–7 days. For aphids, apply anti-influx or imidacloprid.
Proper monitoring and timely intervention are key to successful autumn tomato farming. Always follow safety guidelines when applying chemicals.
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