Damon Mcknight
Growing tomatoes in Australia can be a rewarding experience, but it is not without its challenges. A variety of pests and diseases can affect tomato plants, and these can be influenced by the climate zone and microclimate of a garden. From insects like aphids, thrips, and budworms to viruses and bacterial infections, there are many potential issues that can impact tomato plants at all stages of growth. Netting fruit trees can protect them from birds and other wildlife, but it is also important to be mindful of soil quality and provide consistent watering to prevent Blossom End Rot.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Insects | Aphids, Thrips, Queensland fruit fly, Mediterranean fruit fly, ladybirds, blue-banded bee, moths, caterpillars |
| Mites | Russet mites |
| Worms | Budworms |
| Mammals | Rats, possums, roos, rabbits, possums |
| Birds | Birds |
| Diseases | Fusarium, bacterial wilt, Blossom End Rot |
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What You'll Learn
Insects, nematodes, and mites
Aphids are a common pest of tomato plants, and they can spread viruses that cause diseases such as Blossom End Rot. This disease causes a black sunken area at the base of the fruit. Other symptoms of Blossom End Rot include small yellow spots that turn brown with a black spot in the centre, and leaves yellowing and falling off. To control aphids, you can use insecticidal soap, such as Yates Nature's Way Vegie & Herb Spray, or horticultural soap. You can also encourage beneficial insects, such as ladybirds, into your garden by planting scented flowers and herbs. In a healthy garden, it takes about two weeks for beneficial insects to build up to sufficient numbers to reduce aphid populations.
Thrips are another type of sap-sucking insect that can spread viruses to tomato plants. To control thrips, you can use Yates Tomato Dust or insecticidal soap. Caterpillars are also a pest of tomato plants. They are tough-skinned and can be brown, reddish, or green with irregular dark stripes on their backs and a lighter stripe on each side of their bodies. Bacillus thuringiensis is an organic spray that can be used to control caterpillars, as well as spinosad (low toxicity), pyrethrin, cyfluthrin, tau-fluvalinate, and fluvalinate.
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Birds and other wildlife
In addition to wildlife, there are several insects that can damage tomato plants. These include aphids, thrips, budworms, russet mites, and caterpillars. Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that are green, grey, or black with thin legs. They are most commonly seen in spring and autumn when the weather is mild and humid. Thrips are tiny, sap-sucking insects that can spread viruses to tomato plants. Budworms bore holes in the fruit and can be difficult to kill. Russet mites and caterpillars can also cause significant damage to tomato plants. To control these pests, you can use insecticides or organic sprays, such as Bacillus thuringiensis or spinosad.
Tomato plants are also susceptible to various diseases, which can be caused by inconsistent watering, over-watering, or viral infections. Blossom End Rot, for example, is a condition that occurs when there is a lack of water, which affects the calcium supply. It is characterized by a sunken black patch on the base of the fruit. To prevent this, it is important to water your plants regularly and ensure consistent soil moisture. Other diseases may be indicated by brown spots on the leaves, yellowing leaves, or stunted growth. To manage diseases, it is important to practice crop rotation, remove and destroy infected plants, and spray remaining plants with copper hydroxide or copper oxychloride.
Overall, growing healthy tomato plants requires consistent care and attention. By being mindful of potential pests and diseases and taking preventative measures, you can improve the health of your plants and protect them from wildlife.
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Blossom End Rot
To prevent blossom end rot, it is important to water tomato plants evenly and regularly to keep the roots moist and maintain consistent soil moisture. Avoid conditions that may damage roots, such as cultivating too close to plants and cutting roots. Use nitrate forms of nitrogen fertiliser instead of ammonium forms, and avoid over-fertilising with nitrogen, as this promotes leaf growth at the expense of fruit development. Test your soil periodically to determine if there is sufficient calcium, and if not, add calcium sources such as bonemeal or lime. Maintain a pH of around 6.5, which is ideal for growing most vegetables.
Additionally, consider growing vegetable varieties that are tolerant of calcium deficiencies and less likely to show blossom end rot symptoms. Remove and destroy infected fruit from the plants and soil surface. Spray remaining fruit with copper hydroxide as they begin to ripen. Practise crop rotation and use healthy seeds for new crops to prevent the spread of disease.
Other common pests and diseases that affect tomato plants in Australia include aphids, which are small, soft-bodied insects that are commonly seen in spring and autumn when the weather is mild and humid. Budworms, which bore holes in the fruit, and caterpillars, which pupate in the soil, can also be destructive. To control these pests, you can use insecticides, organic sprays, or physical removal methods such as spraying with horticultural soap or knocking pests off the plants with a water jet from a hose.
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Budworms and caterpillars
Budworms, also known as corn earworms, cotton bollworms, tobacco budworms, tomato grubs, or tomato fruitworms, are the caterpillar stage of the moth *Helicoverpa armigera*. They are a common pest of tomato plants in Australia. Newly hatched budworms are very small (1.5 mm) and can go unnoticed on a plant. As they grow, they bore holes in the fruit and feed on the foliage, causing significant damage.
The moths lay small white eggs on the plants, which hatch into caterpillars. These caterpillars go through six growth stages (instars) until they reach full maturity, which is between 35 and 40 mm in length. The mature caterpillars then descend from the host plants and burrow into the soil to pupate. The pupal stage lasts about two weeks during the warmer months before an adult moth emerges. In regions with cold winters, budworms may remain underground as pupae throughout the winter.
To control budworms, it is essential to monitor your plants closely for early signs of caterpillar damage. Look for minor leaf damage or bud and fruit damage while watering. If you find any damage, inspect further to locate the caterpillars. Pick off minor infestations by hand or use organic sprays like Bacillus thuringiensis or spinosad. Other chemical options include pyrethrin, cyfluthrin, or tau-fluvalinate. Covering susceptible plants with fine mesh netting can also help prevent budworm moths from laying eggs.
Caterpillars that feed on tomato plants are not limited to budworms. There are other species of caterpillars that can also infest tomato plants in Australia. These caterpillars are tough-skinned and can be brown, reddish, or green, with irregular dark stripes on their backs and lighter stripes on the sides of their bodies. They are about 40 mm long when fully grown.
To control these caterpillars, it is important to act early in the season before they attack the fruit. Pick them off by hand or spray them with Bacillus thuringiensis, spinosad, pyrethrin, cyfluthrin, or tau-fluvalinate.
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Unseasonal weather conditions
Tomatoes are grown throughout Australia, and they can be grown outdoors during the winter and in shade houses during the summer. In the Northern Territory, tomatoes are generally grown as a Dry Season annual, and they fruit between May and October. In South Florida, high temperatures have been a major abiotic stress for tomato production, and this could be a significant issue for the future of tomato production in Australia.
Tomato plants are very sensitive to cold temperatures. In spring, a cold snap can cause distorted, malformed tomatoes. Dry, brown scars that look like zippers can appear on the tomatoes, and the fruit will ripen unevenly. If the temperature drops below freezing, the plants may still have unripe or partially ripe fruit on them. To prevent cold damage, it is recommended to start tomato plants from seeds indoors and then move them outside when the nighttime temperatures are consistently above 60°F (15.5°C). Tomato seedlings suffer cold damage at temperatures below 60°F (15.5°C), and the signs of cold damage include light tan or grey spots on the leaves of young plants.
If the weather forecast predicts frost, it is recommended to pick all unripe tomatoes and ripen them indoors. To protect the plants from frost damage, you can cover them with a cotton cloth, canvas, or a plant cover. Alternatively, you can use garden fleece, blankets, sheets, or bubble wrap. If your plants are growing in tomato cages, you can wrap the entire cage, including the top, with bubble wrap and secure it with duct tape. However, remember to remove the bubble wrap the next morning to prevent excessive heat build-up.
In addition to cold weather, pests and diseases can also affect tomato plants in Australia. The Queensland fruit fly, Mediterranean fruit fly, nematodes, russet mites, budworms, and cutworms are some of the common pests that can damage tomato crops. To control these pests, gardeners can use insecticides, solarisation, or clean soil using biofumigants. Additionally, there have been outbreaks of the highly contagious Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) in Australia, which poses a serious threat to the country's tomato industry.
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Frequently asked questions
Common pests that eat tomato plants in Australia include caterpillars, aphids, thrips, rats, possums, birds, and fruit flies.
To prevent pests from eating your tomato plants, you can try physical removal methods such as spraying with horticultural soap or squashing pests with your fingers. You can also use insecticides or organic sprays such as Bacillus thuringiensis or copper hydroxide. Additionally, companion planting and crop rotation can help to deter pests.
Common diseases that affect tomato plants in Australia include Blossom End Rot, which is caused by calcium deficiency and irregular watering, and various viral infections spread by pests such as aphids and thrips.
To prevent diseases in your tomato plants, it is important to provide consistent watering, maintain a suitable pH level, and remove infected plants and leaves. You can also try using sterilised tools, planting disease-resistant varieties, and ensuring good air circulation around your plants.
