Tomato Pith Necrosis in Maryland
By Jerry Brust, UME
In the last week a few tomato fields in Maryland were found with the same disease called tomato pith necrosis. Just about all the problem tomatoes were from early planted fields. Tomato pith necrosis is caused by the soilborne bacterium Pseudomonas corrugata. Although in the past this disease occurred sporadically in Maryland, over the last few years it is appearing more frequently. Tomato pith necrosis usually is found in early planted tomatoes when night temperatures are cool, but the humidity is high, and often plants are growing too rapidly because of excessive nitrogen application. We have had a spring/early summer with some cool nights and high humidity.
