Chlorosis of tomatoes

Chlorosis is a disease that, as a rule, cannot completely destroy a plant. But it can certainly cause considerable harm. Chlorosis of tomatoes greatly weakens the plants. And for this reason, collecting a lot of fruits, most likely, will not work. However, if you follow the basic rules for growing tomatoes, and, if necessary, carry out medical work, then there will be no such problem on your plantings.

Why does tomato chlorosis occur?

If you see that the foliage of your tomato plantings has acquired a yellow color, then this is an alarming signal that development is somehow disrupted. Often, it is chlorosis that causes such changes. It should be noted that not only tomato bushes suffer from chlorosis. As well as other garden and even indoor crops.

Chlorosis usually occurs when plants lack any chemical nutrients. Plants may lack zinc, potassium, magnesium, iron. And also molybdenum.
In general, this entire list is in the soil. However, these elements may be too few. Or the plant assimilates them too poorly for some reason. Many gardeners are faced with such a concept as "non-infectious chlorosis". This is the name of chlorosis, which appeared due to a lack of iron. You can determine which element your tomato plants lack by looking at the foliage. Namely, by its color, size and shape.

How to determine chlorosis on a plant

The deficiency of one or another element can be determined by some signs. It is very important to correctly determine the cause of the problems that have arisen. This is the only way to undertake further therapeutic measures.

• Iron deficiency. With this problem, the leaves become yellowish. At the same time, the veins remain green. It is worth noting that only young leaves turn yellow. But the leaves "aged" and remain green. This problem can appear if the soil is not rich in nutrients. Iron also may not be enough if the acidity level is too high (above seven). And also on soils with a heavy structure. If the soil is alkaline, then here the iron becomes insoluble. For this reason, access to this element is denied to plants. Many summer residents sin by overdoing it with the introduction of lime, taking care of the correct level of soil acidity. This, as a rule, becomes the reason for the lack of this element in tomatoes.
• Magnesium deficiency. The leaf plate of tomatoes becomes yellow at the edges. The central part of the leaf remains green. The part that has not turned yellow is usually triangular in shape. This applies to all foliage, both young and old. After some time, leaves fall off. At the same time, the bushes acquire an unhealthy and weakened appearance.
• Manganese deficiency. If you see that the color changes between the veins of the leaf plate, then most likely your plants lack manganese. Such leaves in the indicated part become pale, of a light greenish tint.
• Zinc deficiency. With a shortage of this element, the leaf plates of the plant become smaller. And also the foliage is covered with spots of a cream and yellowish hue. The veins are green. New leaves are formed small. At the same time, the cuttings weaken noticeably. And also have a shorter length.
• Potassium deficiency. If you see a yellow color starting from the tips of the leaves and continuing towards the center of the leaf, then this is usually a potassium deficiency. Then these leaves fall off.Young foliage becomes shallow, shoots are weakened. A distinctive feature of this ailment is a brownish border on the leaves. It is also called a marginal burn.

Chlorosis of tomatoes: preventive measures

So that chlorosis does not harm your plantings, you need to carefully consider measures to prevent this disease.

1. Before planting tomatoes in the soil, it is necessary to determine the acidity level. It should be below seven units. If this figure is higher, then it is necessary to add acidifiers. For this purpose, many gardeners use citric acid, in the amount of one teaspoon you need to stir it in ten liters of water. Also, juice of one lemon is suitable for this. It is necessary to shed the soil with such a solution.
2. The site should be well loosened. The soil should not be too heavy. If the soil contains too much clay, then use peat and river sand, they need to be added to your soil. Drainage should be good in the area.
3. The soil must be fertile enough, it must contain the required amount of mineral components. Many summer residents, for the purpose of feeding, apply humate-containing fertilizers.
4. During the cultivation of a tomato, it is necessary to periodically loosen the soil, to properly observe the watering regime. In no case should moisture stagnate in the beds.

If you follow all these not too tricky rules, then a disease such as chlorosis will bypass your beds. At the same time, do not forget about the basic rules for growing tomatoes. Thus, your soil will be enriched with the necessary chemical elements, and the plants will receive the necessary nutrition.

How to cure tomato chlorosis

If you see signs of a disease in plants that are in the growing phase, then you need to take the necessary remedial measures as soon as possible. For this purpose, you can use special top dressing based on a chelate. Such dressings dissolve well in water. The foliage of plants is treated with a solution of such a drug. If there is a lack of iron in plants, then you can use Ferrovit, Iron Chelate or Ferillen.

If you do not want to buy ready-made drugs in stores, then you can prepare an analogue yourself. To do this, in one liter of water, it is necessary to stir citric acid (about three grams) and ferrous sulfate (four grams). With this composition, the plants are sprayed three times with an interval of ten days.

In order to overcome chlorosis associated with a lack of magnesium, dolomite flour, Kalimag or Magbor can be used. Wood ash is good for these purposes. For this purpose, you also need to prepare a solution: for ten liters of water there is a glass of ash. Next, the plants are sprayed.

If your plants lack zinc, then you need to use zinc oxide as a fertilizer. For ten liters of water, there are ten grams of the substance. Diseased plants should be sprayed with such a solution. Also for this purpose, you can use superphosphate, which contains zinc, as well as potassium sulfate.

If your plants are deficient in manganese, then you can use manganese sulfate. This fertilizer has a long-lasting effect, as a rule, it is applied during digging in the autumn or spring. Before use, such a top dressing must be dissolved in ten liters of water, two grams will be enough for such a volume. The water should be warm enough, about +25 degrees, so the substance will dissolve better.

With a lack of potassium, you can use drugs such as potassium humate, wood ash, Kalimag.

Be sure to observe the proportions and dosages when using certain fertilizers. It is not recommended to overdo it with top dressing, since too many of these or those components can harm tomato plantings. It is worth remembering that all fertilizing is done in moist soil.If you apply top dressing by foliar method, then spray the plants in the morning or evening hours. So, there is no risk that your plants will get sunburn.