Tomato blight

Some allotment holders on the West side have reported tomato blight on their plants. Please check your own tomato plants and be vigilant for this.

If your tomato plants are suffering from tomato blight there is no cure, infected plant will need to be destroyed. Burning is the most effective way, never put them on the compost heap and do not dig them into the soil.

The likely symptoms are listed below in the order in which they normally occur:

1. Small brown marks appear on the leaves which enlarge as the blight takes hold.
2. Leaves on the lower part of the plant may well have light coloured patches of fungal infection on the undersides.
3. Brown spots will then appear on the stems and branches, quickly turning to deep brown black. These marks will expand and at this stage the general health of the plants will begin to fail, the stems and branches will begin to turn to mush and possibly collapse. It will be clear that your tomato plants are suffering badly.
4. Finally the fruits, both green and ripe, will show brown marks on them. The affected leaves will dry up, shrivel and fall off.