What are the best fungicides for tomatoes? Tomatoes are pretty easy to grow and take care of. If pests attack your tomato plants, there are many ways to save them. But fungal infections are a different ball game.
Most fungal infections are so severe that they cannot be cured once they cross a certain stage. Therefore, you need to take proper precautions and have the right plant fungicides.
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What are Fungicides?
Fungicides are used to fight fungal infections that may affect the growth of a plant negatively.
They control fungal infections, damaged plants, especially rust, blight, and mildew.
Fungicides are easily available in solid and liquid forms. You can select the fungicide depending on the type of fungal infection, plant requirement, and growth stage.
The common active ingredient in fungicides is sulfur, usually at a concentration of 0.08%.
Apart from the liquid form, you can also get solid fungicides, but they are usually very toxic. In powder form, you will get a concentration of up to 90% sulfur in the fungicide.
I have listed some of the best fungicides recommended for tomato plants below.
Best Tomato Plant Fungicides
The best tomato plant fungicides are:
- Bonide Mancozeb Fungicide Concentrate
- Bonide Copper Fungicide RTU
- Garden Safe Fungicide Ready-To-Use
- Neem Bliss Neem Oil Fungicide
- Daconil Fungicide Concentrate
Bonide Mancozeb Fungicide Concentrate
This is a great fungicide that is very good for tomato leaf spots.
Apart from tomatoes, you can use them for other plants like potatoes, cucumbers, melons, grapes, apples, onions, and roses.
The WHO declared this product safe, and it is not toxic at all.
The main ingredients are zinc and mancozeb, which help fight fungal infections and promote growth.
The best way to use this fungicide is to use it in a tank spray. You need to add 3 tbsp. of the fungicide with one gallon of water and mix it to make a liquid spray.
With this spray, you can easily treat late tomato blight, early tomato blight, botrytis, rust, and downy mildew.
Pros
- Very good for a wide range of tomatoes
- Good for integrated management of pests
- Helps with the healthy growth of the plant through zinc
Cons
- Instructions for mixing and concentration proportion are missing
- Excess can be toxic
Don’t forget to buy this fungicide here.
Bonide Copper Fungicide RTU
This fungicide is good for early tomato blight, but you can also use it for other plants.
You can use this fungicide for other plants: roses, nuts, herbs, vegetables, and turf.
This fungicide contains copper salt, fatty acids, copper sulfate, and copper octanoate.
It helps cure the issues related to tomato rust, leaf curl, downy mildew, leaf spots, black spots, late tomato blight, and anthracnose.
This fungicide comes in a spray form and is easy to use.
Use this product until your plant reaches a height of 3 feet (92 centimeters).
The direct application is fine; there is no need for dilution.
Pros
- Ready to use, no mixing required
- No need for a spray tank
- Control insects and helps in promoting plant growth.
Cons
- The solution is not good for the roots of the plant
- Toxic for animals
- Rain might wash the spray
Take a look at this product here.
Garden Safe Fungicide Ready-To-Use
This fungicide contains myclobutanil triazole and is also good for treating downy mildew.
Apart from tomatoes, you can also use this fungicide for other plants, such as roses, nuts, herbs, shrubs, vegetables, and turf.
It helps with black tomato spots, brown patches, and early and late tomato blight.
An easy way to use this is to mix it with water. The instructions on how to apply it are on the label, so you can use it accordingly.
It is toxic, so wear a protective mask and gloves.
Pros
- Very good for early prevention and cure
- Doesn’t runoff easily, even with the rain
- Offers 2-week good protection
Cons
- It needs serious protection because of toxicity
- Not an organic fungicide
- Not best for near-harvest tomatoes
You can get it from Amazon here.
Neem Bliss Neem Oil Fungicide
Organic, safe, and effective, this fungicide is perfect for beginners who have no idea about fungicides. It is a great remedy for powdery mildew on tomato plants.
It can also cure rust of tomatoes, tomato scabs, early and late tomato blight, and black tomato spots. This fungicide contains Azadirachtin, which fights fungus as well as promotes growth.
You can also use tomatoes for other plants, including fruits, nuts, herbs, shrubs, vegetables, and ornamentals.
Mixing two tablespoons of oil in 1 gallon of water is the best way to use it. Some people even mix it with mild liquid and soap.
Just spritz it on the surface; it will suffice for two weeks.
A patch test is necessary because this is an organic solution, but some plants may show serious signs.
Pros
- It is a natural and organic remedy
- The best option for people who are into organic gardening
- Low toxicity can help with promoting the growth
Cons
- Applying it in direct sunlight might burn the plant
- It has a very strong odor
- Applying directly to the skin might hurt
Buy this product here.
Daconil Fungicide Concentrate
This fungicide is the best tomato leaf spot for septoria leaf spots on tomato plants.
Apart from curing septoria leaf spots, it also helps control fungal infections like early and late tomato blight, black mold, grey lead mold, grey lead spot, and rust of tomato, Algae, powdery mildew, and botrytis.
Chlorothalonil is the fungicide’s active ingredient, which helps cure fungicide and promotes plant growth.
Apart from tomatoes, you can use it for other plants as well. Some other plants include flowers, fruits, shade trees, and vegetables.
The overall use is very easy, but you need special protection to ensure it doesn’t come in direct contact with your body and skin.
Wear full sleeves, protect your eyes, gloves, and a mask.
The mixing is easy. You must dilute the mixture with water and add it to the tank spray.
Spraying during hot weather can cause harm, so avoid spraying in hot weather.
Apart from this, apply the solution thoroughly on the plant surface, as this solution can get washed off by rain.
It is toxic, so you must take preventive measures if animals are nearby. Another important thing is to avoid spraying when it is windy.
Pros
- It is best for early treatment because it is a non-systematic fungicide
- Prevents against a wide variety of diseases
- Very good for growth
Cons
- Very toxic
- Not an organic fungicide
- Get swashed off by rain
Take a look at this fungicide here.
Based on the type of fungal infection and the stage of the infection, there are two main types of fungicide.
Type of Fungicides
There are systematic fungicides and contact fungicides.
Systematic Fungicides
Systematic fungicide is used for treating fungal infections in the long run.
The plant absorbs this kind of fungicide, and when the fungal infection starts, the anti-fungal effect kicks in.
This fungicide moves through the plant tissues and protects both mature and new parts of the plant.
Contact Fungicides
Contact fungicide helps fight the fungus only when it comes in contact with it, hence the name.
Once the fungal infection has attacked and infected the plant, you can spray this type of fungicide to prevent further damage.
Tomato Fungal Infections
Fungal infections are not just a single type; unfortunately, many different types of infections have different effects on the tomato plant.
Some of the common tomato plant fungal infections are listed below.
Tomato Early Blight
Alternaria solani causes this infection. You will see small dark spots near the ground on the older leaves. Then spots will spread to newer leaves as well.
The spots are round and brown, and can be as big as half an inch.
They are usually round, and if the infection worsens, you will see that leaves will turn brown and fall off eventually. Some of the dead leaves might even stick to the stem.
Tomato Late Blight
Phytophthora infestans cause tomato late blight. This infection attacks the fruit directly.
You will see big dark brown spots that are firm and round; they will start slow and cover the whole fruit.
Tomato late blight often appears near the winter season when the weather is wet and humid.
In humid weather, entire fields turn brown, which can become irreversible.
Septoria Leaf Spot
Cause of Septoria lycopersici, this fungal infection can be seen on the lower leaves at the start and spread to the upper leaves.
You might notice that lesions and spots emerge and form blotches. Leaves then turn brown and rusty.
You will see that the stems and pods of the plant may also develop these spots, which will affect its growth.
Buckeye Rot
Caused by Phytophthora parasitica, this fungal infection attacks the fruit and leaves. You will see an irregular brown spot on the leaves and the stem.
The spots are water-soaked, and you can easily spot them. Leaves will wilt, and the plant might collapse.
The tomatoes might become soft, full of water, and eventually rot.
Anthracnose Fruit Rot
Caused by various species of fungi in the genus Colletotrichum, irregular-shaped spots and blotches on the leaves can characterize this fungal infection.
It mainly affects the young leaves and will result in tan brown spots. The leaves will soon be curled up and distorted.
However, if these spots appear on the mature leaves of a tomato plant, they don’t curl up or wilt.
In case of severe infection, the plant completely goes to waste.
Conclusion
The biggest problem with fungal infections is that you need to take precautions. If it is observable, it is often too late.
A good fungicide will help you prepare for the worst. To avoid any serious damage to your tomato plants, you need to prepare your plant with the help of systemic fungicides.
I suggest you choose the fungicide based on the soil and the moisture level in the soil.
Usually, fungal infections start from the soil and reach the tomato plant causing severe damage.
Proper research and timely application will save your tomato plant from irreversible damage.
Look for a tomato fungicide that targets multiple fungal infections rather than just one type. Also, follow the safety precautions while applying the fungicide, as it can be poisonous.
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.
Last update on 2024-07-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API