What causes tomato leaf curl? Cause analysis and control methods
Tomato is a common vegetable in our daily life. It tastes good and is rich in a variety of vitamins, so it is deeply loved by people and is grown over a fairly wide area. However, during cultivation, tomato leaf curl can occur, affecting the yield and quality of tomatoes. So what causes tomato leaf curl? Let's take a look.
1. Root damage
After the tomato root system is damaged, its water absorption capacity declines, which leads to water shortage in the plant and causes leaf curling and yellowing. There are two causes of root damage. The first is artificial injury: when farmers weed or cultivate the soil, they hoe too deeply, which damages the root system, and over time this causes leaf curl. The second is the application of undecomposed organic fertilizer, which releases a large amount of heat during decomposition, making the soil temperature exceed what the root system can tolerate, causing root burn and thus the appearance of leaf curl.
Control methods: When cultivating and weeding, be sure to avoid going too deep, so as not to damage the root system. When applying organic fertilizer or farmyard manure, it must be fully decomposed before application.
2. Insufficient nutrition
Tomatoes consume a large amount of nutrients during growth. If the soil lacks any element essential for tomato growth, it will affect their growth; for example, elements such as boron and manganese can cause tomato fruits to become smaller. In addition, improper fertilization can also affect the fruits and leaves; for example, excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer can affect the plant's absorption of other elements, resulting in leaf curl.
Control methods: When fertilizing tomatoes, follow the nutrients required at each growth stage. From planting to flowering, it is enough to apply humic acid fertilizer or microbial inoculants to promote root growth. When the plant enters the flowering and fruiting stage, a topdressing can be applied; at the fruit expansion stage, apply a high-potassium fertilizer.
3. High temperature and drought
When the temperature is too high, the transpiration of the leaves is extremely strong, and when the soil is dry, the water absorbed by the roots is far from enough to meet the needs of leaf transpiration. Therefore, to reduce water evaporation, the leaves close their stomata, resulting in the leaves folding or curling.
Control methods: During periods of high temperature and drought, water promptly to maintain the plant's water requirement, but do not irrigate too much at one time. The principle of small amounts and frequent watering can be adopted.
The above is an introduction to the causes of tomato leaf curl and control methods. We hope it helps you. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.