Tomato
Edema
Transpiration disorder
Other
In a Nutshell
- Blisters on leaves, stems and fruits.
- Brittle leaves.
Can also be found in
Tomato
Symptoms
Water-soaked blisters and yellow spots on the undersides of leaves.This can cause an unusual curling of the leaves. Blisters can occur on stems and fruits as well. Leaves can brittle and they can crack when touched. This is because the blisters weaken the leaf structure. Although edema typically doesn't harm the overall health of the plant, it can make vegetables less visually appealing for sale, leading to economic losses. All soft parts of vegetable crops can develop edema if the conditions are right.
Recommendations
Organic Control
This issue is neither a pest nor a disease; therefore, organic control is not required or relevant.
Chemical Control
This issue is neither a pest nor a disease; therefore, chemical control is not required or relevant.
What caused it?
Overwatering, bad drainage of soil, cold and cloudy days, high humidity. Edema occurs when plants absorb water faster than they can transpire it. Often due to overwatering on cloudy days with insufficient light, high humidity or limited air circulation. Cabbage and tomatoes are particularly susceptible to this condition, especially in waterlogged soil. The blisters caused by edema persist even as weather conditions improve.
Preventive Measures
- Avoid overwatering, especially during cool and cloudy days when plants should be kept slightly dry.
- Increase ventilation and avoid overcrowding the plants to improve air circulation.
- Cut back on watering when weather conditions favour edema but don’t let the plants completely dry out.
- Always water only in the morning.
- Avoid over-fertilizing, especially during slow growth periods.
- Pay attention to potassium and calcium levels in the soil, as these elements help with the consistency of plant tissues.
- Some plant varieties may be more resistant to edema.
Share
Download Plantix
