Herbicide damage or CMV

PatrickArtist · June 26, 2012

I have what I thought may be herbicide damage on several plants, but it has been a few weeks and they are not growing out of it and it seems to be spreading to other plants. I thought perhaps the plants that are beginning to show damage just received a lighter dose and are taking longer to show signs, but I am beginning to fear the worse. Is it possible that this is just herbicide damage and I'm being pessimistic, or am I doomed? At least half my plants are showing some symptoms and if it is CMV, many more are likely going to go down.

Masbustelo · June 26, 2012

How old, or how long have your plants been in there present location? The photos seem to be a little inconclusive. If it is a herbicide it looks to me to have been airborne rather or versus endemic in your soil. Your probably better off if it was airborne.

PatrickArtist · June 26, 2012

I planted them out under plastic tunnels at the end of April. By mothers day I took the cover off. We have had a wet and cold spring, even by PNW standards, but up until this they have been growing well and finally started to set fruit in early June. Fruit set has just about stopped and green fruits have stopped enlarging. It is possible that it is 2, 4-d drift, but some plants heavily affected are next to plants with very little to no damage. as well as areas where several plants went down at once. I have a neighbor that I suspect uses a weed and feed product (They have an enviable lawn) but there is a solid fence. At this point it may be too late to pull them and I might have to wait and see if it is herbicide or not. Crossing my fingers that is is airborne...

Masbustelo · June 26, 2012

The good news is that if it was a herbicide it was airborne. There are lots of different kinds but some breakdown relatively quickly in sunlight. If you tear them out there is no hope, if you leave them be, maybe they will come out of it.

PatrickArtist · June 27, 2012

Thanks for your replys Masbustelo, I am trying to be positive and perhaps it is just herbicide drift and they may come out of it. I'd hate to lose a whole seasons crop, especially since I am attempting my first crosses. Again, fingers crossed...

augiedog55 · June 27, 2012

I planted tomatos at my brothers and a friends. Both set of plans got a first what I thought was air born herbicide contamination. It affects one out of 4 in each case first. As they other plants grew taller and ther roots got deeper they to all showed signs of chemical contination. Now all eight plants look like your and those plants can't out grow it like if was airborn contamination. It, sucks every time i look at these plants. BTW they are putting on a few fruits but most of the flowers don't fertilize..

I hope yours is airborn, if it is you'll outgrow the burn hopefully

Wi-sunflower · June 27, 2012

I hate to say this, but the cupping in pic 2 looks like aphid damage to me. If so, then it's more likely some virus that's your problem.

Get some spray on them or ladybugs.

Carol

**Lee** · June 27, 2012

Along what Carol mentioned.... look for signs that it could be virus.

Look for aphids, which are a vector for CMV
If you have no aphids, or other chewing insects on the plants, then
I would lean toward the 2-4-D contamination....

Lee

PatrickArtist · June 27, 2012

I have been unable to locate any aphids, or other likely insect vectors, and the leaf roll in picture two is just how the potato leaved plants are expanding their affected leaves. But I assume that if it is a virus, I was the impetus for the spread. I'm always poking and prodding the plants. If one became infected I'm certain I could have spread it. My reason for leaning toward virus is that more than two weeks after symptoms began showing on some plants, new plants are just now beginning to show similar symptoms. I do hold a glimmer of hope that it was herbicide. There are lawns all around and no vegetable gardens nearby. Thanks everyone for your replies, I appreciate your input.

PatrickArtist · July 2, 2012

The mosaic pattern has begun froming on several plants... seems to be a virus for sure. Here's to hoping it is CMV and not TMV...

June 27, 2012	#8
Lee Tomatopalooza™ Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NC-Zone 7 Posts: 2,188	Along what Carol mentioned.... look for signs that it could be virus. Look for aphids, which are a vector for CMV If you have no aphids, or other chewing insects on the plants, then I would lean toward the 2-4-D contamination.... Lee __________________ Intelligence is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put one in a fruit salad. Cuostralee - The best thing on sliced bread.

June 26, 2012	#2
Masbustelo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Illinois Posts: 97	How old, or how long have your plants been in there present location? The photos seem to be a little inconclusive. If it is a herbicide it looks to me to have been airborne rather or versus endemic in your soil. Your probably better off if it was airborne.

June 26, 2012	#3
PatrickArtist Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2012 Location: PNW - Portland, Or Posts: 19	I planted them out under plastic tunnels at the end of April. By mothers day I took the cover off. We have had a wet and cold spring, even by PNW standards, but up until this they have been growing well and finally started to set fruit in early June. Fruit set has just about stopped and green fruits have stopped enlarging. It is possible that it is 2, 4-d drift, but some plants heavily affected are next to plants with very little to no damage. as well as areas where several plants went down at once. I have a neighbor that I suspect uses a weed and feed product (They have an enviable lawn) but there is a solid fence. At this point it may be too late to pull them and I might have to wait and see if it is herbicide or not. Crossing my fingers that is is airborne...

June 27, 2012	#6
augiedog55 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: oak grove mo Posts: 406	I planted tomatos at my brothers and a friends. Both set of plans got a first what I thought was air born herbicide contamination. It affects one out of 4 in each case first. As they other plants grew taller and ther roots got deeper they to all showed signs of chemical contination. Now all eight plants look like your and those plants can't out grow it like if was airborn contamination. It, sucks every time i look at these plants. BTW they are putting on a few fruits but most of the flowers don't fertilize.. I hope yours is airborn, if it is you'll outgrow the burn hopefully

June 27, 2012	#7
Wi-sunflower Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,591	I hate to say this, but the cupping in pic 2 looks like aphid damage to me. If so, then it's more likely some virus that's your problem. Get some spray on them or ladybugs. Carol

July 2, 2012	#10
PatrickArtist Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2012 Location: PNW - Portland, Or Posts: 19	The mosaic pattern has begun froming on several plants... seems to be a virus for sure. Here's to hoping it is CMV and not TMV...