Can You Eat Tomatoes With Septoria Leaf Spot?

The tomatoes with Septoria leaf spot are safe to eat unless the fruit is rotten due to this disease or not without causing health issues. You can eat tomatoes with Septoria leaf spot, which is entirely healthy if the disease has not taken over the whole fruit. Septoria is a fungal disease that spreads fast and weakens the plant in a short time. 

This guide explores the details of this disease, its impact, precautions and preventions, and whether tomatoes from infected plants are safe to eat. So, read till the end and become an informed gardener!

What is Septoria Leaf Spot

Septoria leaf spot caused due to the fungus known as Septoria lycopersici. This disease affects the tomatoes by infecting the tomato plant before it’s fully grown and enters the fruit from the leaves. Septoria is sometimes similar to the early blight, but it is only occasionally accurate as both look similar. However, they are different in general.

A tomato plant can have both diseases simultaneously. So, early detection of them is necessary, as they can cause serious health issues. To differentiate between Septoria and Early Blight, it is Septoria if the lower leaves show disease symptoms first. If the plant is infected with Septoria, it will first turn wholly yellow and brown and then fall.

However, Early blight are large and sunken lesions filled with concentric rings. The black and brown spotting on the leaves takes its way up from the ground and reaches the stem. Fruit infection is rare, so if the fungus has not reached the fruit yet, you can eat it without any problem.

Spread of Septoria Leaf in Tomatoes

Septoria Leaf spread by the fungal and spore dispersal in tomatoes. These spores and fungi are very good at covering up and can travel a maximum distance to find perfect conditions. They live on the debris and weeds of the fallen plant. Hence, rainwater often takes them from infected leaves to healthy plants. High humidity also favors the growth of these fungal spores. They also spread by coming in physical contact e.g. tools, insects, and workers.

Symptoms of Septoria Leaf Spot

The common symptoms of Septoria Leaf Spot that appeared at the start of this disease in tomato plants are:

1. Small circular spots, beneath the older leaves, petioles, and stems could visibly seen. In addition, these spots are water-soaked in the beginning and also contain a white center.
2. With time, the spot’s color changes from white to gray center and brown sides.
3. Small, brown, or black structures are produced in the center of spots also known as Pycnidia. They are the bodies of fungi from which spores are produced.
4. With the progression of the disease, the spots become enlarged and merged.
5. Leaves turn yellow and brown at the start and later fall completely.

How to Control and Treat Leaf Spot

There are some methods through which you can control and treat leaf spots, but the first and foremost method to prevent leaf spots is prevention. You must follow the given ideas to hold the leaf spot.

Method 1: Pruning and Cutting the Affected Leaves

When you notice an infected leaf, the first thing you should do is cut it to prevent it from spreading any further. If you notice one leave and ignore it, you will see ten others the next day, as their growth rate is high.

When you enter the field to cut the leaves, make sure you are clean and wash your hands, gloves, and pruners well before removing the leaves. When you cut the infected leaves, their transmission source is cut, too, and you can prevent your vegetables from getting infected from Septoria. 

Method 2: Use Organic Fungicide

Another thing you can use to get a field free of diseases like Septoria is an organic fungicide that will remove the disease from the plant without causing any damage. You need to apply the fungicide on the infected leaves only. An organic fungicide contains potassium and bicarbonate. When you use it, add an even coat on the affected leaves, it will remove the disease very soon. 

This fungicide will protect your leaves and stop the disease from spreading further. If you have a beautiful garden with these gorgeous red vegetables, keep the organic fungicide with you. You can find this fungicide easily on the market. An organic fungicide is best for the plant, it does not cause any harm to the plant by containing all the organic components. You can kill the fungus without causing any damage to the plant.

Method 3: Add Chemical Fungicide

Chemical fungicides are best known for their excellent working capabilities but are unsuitable for plants. They have chemicals that are responsible for changing the chemical composition of the soil but result in damage to the plant. When you don’t have any organic fungicide available, and your fruit is contaminated, you should use this chemical fungicide.

Different types of chemical fungicides are available in the market, ensure buying the one with the least chemical involvement. Chlorothalonil is one of the well-known chemical fungicides with the most miniature chemical composition and works excellently against Septoria. Specific gardeners prefer chlorothalonil over any other chemical fungicide, it does the work and takes care of the plant. 

Method 4: Use Biological Fungicide

Along with organic fungicides, you can also try biological fungicides such as Bacillus subtilis, one of the best-known natural fungicides that work effectively on Septoria. It can remove different types of fungus from many plants.

Along with treating Septoria, this fungicide can also treat several other plant diseases. If you have a beautiful garden, you should also keep a biological fungicide as it helps kill the fungus without causing any damage to the plant.

Safety Precautions for Septoria Leaf Spot

There are some precautions and preventive measures by which you can control these diseases from hitting your crops. Let’s take a look at these preventive measures:

1. Rotate Crops

If fallen leaves or other debris are in your ground, you can occasionally remove them by rotating crops. If any extra fallen leaves lie in your garden, Septoria is more likely to attach to the debris leaves and enter the plants.

By regularly rotating your crops and cleaning all the fallen leaves, there will be no space for Septoria to attach. The fallen leaves might have spores in them, and you might not see them as it is part of the debris. However, if the debris is lying around in your garden, there is a chance of Septoria attacking and affecting your tomato plants. 

2. Choose a Strong Hybrid Variety

While choosing among the breeds of your tomato, choose the solid hybrid variety of tomatoes. Because they have the resistance to endure the damage and keep the Septoria away. Different breeds of tomatoes are available. You might have to buy them for a little more money, but all your tomatoes will be safe from Septoria. 

3. Keeps Check of The Weeds

There are higher chances that Septoria is attached to the weeds, many solanaceous weeds harbor fungal spores. If the weeds have the disease, they are more likely to transfer it to nearby plants. It’s good to keep herbicides along with fungicides to check the weeds and protect your field from weeds and the fungus. 

4. Water the Soil but Not Plants

If the soil is wet and a drip or a soaker hose is used for irrigation, the chance of Septoria spreading is less than expected. You can prevent your vegetation by soaking the soil clean.

5. Mulch the Area of Crops

Mulching around the area of your crops or plants has two distinct benefits: it prevents soil splashing, which results in spreading spores. Another advantage is that mulching around the plants will add layers of 3 to 4 inches, help in water retention, and work as a bonus for the soil. 

6. Ensure Proper Airflow

Sometimes, the plants are tightly packed together, and there is hardly any space between them to ensure proper airflow, resulting in the attachment of Septoria. If you trim the extra foliage of the plants, there will be extra space for the air to cross.

Thus reducing the chance of Septoria, and your garden looks tidy and clean. If you stake the plants and store them in sturdy tomato cages, it will also ensure proper airflow, reducing disease chances.

7. Plant Tomatoes in a Raised Bed

Plant the tomatoes in a raised bed, as this will improve drainage and help prevent several diseases, such as Septoria, from spreading. When the tomatoes are grown, every part of the soil will get soaked up, resulting in a Septoria-free field.

8. Keep Removing Defecting Plants

There is a possibility of Septoria attaching anytime, and they can cause damage to your garden any day. It is crucial to keep looking for the disease in the plants and remove the defective leaves. When you terminate deficient leaves, there is more room for healthy plants to grow, reducing the chance of Septoria. 

9. Keep Pests at Bay

Several pests in the field can transfer Septoria spores to the plant, resulting in infection of the whole plant. You must remove your pest collection, which will help remove disease from your plants. It is best to remove pests and weeds from your plant if you want it to grow healthy and prevent all diseases.

Conclusion

The taste of freshly grown tomatoes from your garden is priceless, but unwanted fungi and diseases such as Septoria can sometimes affect your garden. This article contains complete information about the introduction, detection, causes, and preventive ways of Septoria. If the tomatoes are toxin-free, they are highly beneficial to your health. Before eating any tomato, ensure it is organic and free from all types of diseases. By following all preventive measures and best gardening practices, you can have a bountiful harvest of tomatoes.

FAQs

1. Can Septoria Leaf Spot be Eaten on Tomatoes?

Yes, as long as the fruit is not affected by the disease, it is safe to consume. However, if the whole fruit is affected then it is better not to eat it.

2. What Is The Cause of Septoria Leaf Spot?

This disease appears in tomatoes due to a fungus known as Septoria lycopersici.

3. What are the indications of a Septoria Leaf Spot?

Early detection is critical. Look for lower tomato leaves with round yellow spots, black/brown edges, and tiny black dots. If they have yellow round spots with black/brown edges and tiny black dots, then it’s a Septoria Leaf Spot.

4. What are some ways to control or treat septoria leaf spots?

Different ways to help prevent this disease include pruning off infected leaves, using fungicides, and rotating crops. In addition, choosing resistant varieties, and ensuring good air circulation and drainage are also helpful to control and treat Septoria Leaf Spots.

5. How Can I Prevent My Tomato Plants From Infected With Septoria Leaf Spots?

Septoria Leaf Spots are easy to control with different preventive measures. For this, practice crop rotation, choose resistant tomatoes and mulch varieties, provide adequate water and nutrients, and regularly check on your plants.