Current Projects: Tomato Disease

Managing Tomato Diseases Organically

The moist conditions of the Southeast can make organic tomato production difficult, and most growers must do so under cover or with frequent use of copper sprays to control disease. At the Calhoun Field Station of Clemson University, we are working to evaluate different novel types of sprays or treatment combinations with potential in an organic setting, in cooperation with Dr. Geoff Zehnder. Trials include heirloom varieties and biological control sprays, as well as compost tea. The latter is controversial, both in terms of efficacy and conformity to organic rules. Since we began in 2005, early blight has been the main disease problem, but compost tea alone has shown little promise.

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