Also known as TSWV, this viral disease infects up to 1000 different plant species including ornamentals, vegetables, field crops and weeds. It is carried by at least 9 species of thrips, minute insects with cigar-shaped bodies and weak feathery wings. Symptoms on the leaves include bronze or dark ringspots and upward rolling; on the fruits, yellow ringspots and, less often, brown necrotic sunken areas. Plants may be stunted and young ones may die. Photo Credit Downtowngal Wikipedia
Control:
- Remove infected plants immediately
- Control weeds paying special attention to common ones like dandelion, buttercup, chickweed, and plantain that serve as alternative hosts.
- Use a reflective mulch
- Use TSWV resistant varieties of tomato such as ‘Health Kick’, ‘Amelia”, or ‘Top Gun (none are immune)
- Clean up the garden for winter including the removal of all plant debris