What Does Tomato Plant Leaf Curl Mean? (2024)

FAQs

What Does Tomato Plant Leaf Curl Mean? ›

Heat and low moisture can cause the edges of the tomato leaves to die back, then twist and curl. Hot dry weather may also cause a symptom called physiological leaf roll. This is a self- defense response, where leaves and leaflets curl slightly to prevent further water loss (Fig.

There is no treatment for virus-infected plants. Removal and destruction of plants is recommended. Since weeds often act as hosts to the viruses, controlling weeds around the garden can reduce virus transmission by insects.

Tomatoes are easy to grow but they're more delicate than some gardeners realise. Inadequate watering, over-watering, unstable temperatures, and hormone weed killers are among the main causes of leaf curl.

The most common causes of indoor leaves curling upward are too little water, low humidity, insufficient light, or high temperatures. Verify the plant's soil is not dry. Increase watering frequency, mist leaves, move to brighter indirect light, and keep away from heat vents.

Curling leaves happen, and they're not difficult to fix. If you spot them, check your plants' water levels, soil, lighting, and leaves for any pest infestations. Once you fix the potential problem or simply pluck the curled leaves, your plant should start looking as good as new in no time.

Temperature fluctuations and root disturbance associated with transplanting cause some tomato varieties to curl up their leaves in self-defense. What to do: Plants often recover on their own from leaf curl caused by transplant shock within a couple of weeks. Provide plenty of water as your tomatoes settle in.

Excessive nitrogen fertilization will also cause tomato leaves to curl. Excessive nitrogen will have another side effect, as it can favor the growth of new leaves and shoots at the expense of setting fruit. In some cases, heavy pruning or damage to roots may also cause leaf curl.

The primary way the virus is spread short distances is by Bemisia whitefly species. Over long distance, the virus is primarily spread through the movement of infected plants, especially tomato transplants.

On tomatoes, the primary symptoms of TYLCV are interveinal and marginal chlorosis of young leaves (Figure 2), an overall crumpled appearance of the leaves, and upward and downward leaf-curling. Plants infected with TYLCV will also be stunted in height (Figure 3), and appear bushy due to shortened internode length.

The signs of overwatering tomato plants are yellow, blistered or wilting leaves. Stems may turn yellow, too. To check if you are overwater, put your finger into the soil to assess how wet it is. If it feels boggy, especially after a dry day, your tomato plants are most definitely overwatered.

How do you treat leaf curl disease? ›

For the control of leaf curl virus in Chilli - Spray Isogashi - 2.5 ml per 10 liters of water and repeat after 10-15 days interval for better control. You can also spray Aza power plus - 5 ml per liter of water when thrips are low in number.

Some people remove diseased leaves or prune infected shoots, but this has not been shown to improve control. Normally, diseased leaves fall off within a few weeks and are replaced by new, healthy leaves, unless it is rainy.

Leaf curl can usually be controlled satisfactorily by a spray of a suitable registered fungicide at any stage of dormancy. Most effective control is achieved by spraying when the buds are swelling but before they have opened. It's not possible to control the fungus once it's entered the leaf.

Best Treatment for Leaf Curl

Alternatively, once buds start to swell, trees can be sprayed with Yates Liquid Copper Fungicide. Correct timing is critical and it's important to spray when the buds are swelling but before and within one week of the buds opening.

Mancozeb, chlorothalonil, and liquid copper fungicides are frequently used and control a variety of foliar fungal diseases. Occasionally, bacterial leaf spot becomes a problem.

Leaves of infected plants are small and curl upward; and show strong crumpling and interveinal and marginal yellowing. The internodes of infected plants become shortened and, together with the stunted growth, plants often take on a bushy appearance, which is sometimes referred to as 'bonsai' or broccoli'-like growth.