Leaf Mold
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Leaf mold (Passalora fulva) occurs primarily on tomato plants grown in structures with high humidity and cool temperatures. Light green to yellow spots appear on upper leaf surfaces, while a velvety green-brown layer of spores develops on undersides and rarely on upper leaf surfaces. This disease often occurs with Botrytis gray mold; however, leaf mold sporulation is browner and more common on the underside of leaves, while gray mold sporulation may occur anywhere on plants.
Leaf mold on tomato foliage.
(Photo: Kenneth Seebold, University of Kentucky)
Leaf mold pathogen sporulation.
(Photo: Kenneth Seebold, University of Kentucky)
Management:
- Resistant varieties are available for some pathogen races.
- Reduce humidity by increasing air flow and eliminating standing water.
- Trellis plants carefully to avoid injuries.
- Remove dead plant material from structures.
- Spray labeled, systemic fungicides on a regular schedule.
