Why are the leaves on my tomato plant turning yellow. There are various reasons for causing yellow leaves in tomato plants. Let’s discuss each of them.
Why are the leaves on my tomato plant turning yellow
The earlier you diagnose the cause, the quicker will be the mitigation process, and you will get back lush green leaves.
Let’s get started!
Nutritional Deficiency
It is the most common reason that causes the tomato leaves to turn yellow. Tomatoes require heavy feed and a low feed turns the leaves yellow, signaling a problem.
If you observe yellow leaves, do not opt directly for fertilizers. Test the soil for the minerals content.
After testing if the minerals are low in quantity, opt for fertilizers to make the soil rich and fertile for the tomato plants.
Different nutrient deficiencies show various signs.
Older Leaves Turning Yellow
Minerals including Nitrogen, potassium, and magnesium deficiencies cause the older leaves to turn yellow. It means that they have transferred nutrients to the newer leaves, leaving behind the old leaves yellow.
Nitrogen Deficiency
In nitrogen deficiency, the entire leaf turns yellow. Add nitrogen fertilizer to fertilize the soil. Avoid using high amounts, may provide lush green leaves by eliminating the flowering and fruiting phase.
Potassium Deficiency
In potassium deficiency, the outer line of the leaf turns yellow, and after consistent low levels, leaves turn brown like a burnt leaf.
Magnesium Deficiency
If you observe yellow leaves with green veins, it indicates magnesium deficiency. To eliminate magnesium deficiency, opt for a homemade Epsom mixture.
Opt for the Epsom mixture when you are sure enough about magnesium deficiency. Add two tablespoons of Epsom salt in a gallon of water and spray it on the plant. After a week, the leaves will be grown back to green.
Newer Leaves Turning Yellow
When the top leaves of tomato plants turn yellow, it indicates Calcium and iron deficiency.
Iron Deficiency
Iron deficiency turns the tomato leaves yellow with green veins.
The problem within Soil PH
There might be an issue in the soil PH level. If the soil PH gets changed by any means, the nutrient absorption gets suffered.
Acidic Soil
If the soil PH gets too low, acidic soil limits the absorption of Calcium and magnesium.
Alkaline Soil
An alkaline soil limits the absorption of iron.
Favorable PH
The most favorable soil ph. for tomatoes is 6.5.
Tips
Remer to perform a soil test before fixing the deficiencies.
Compact Soil
If the tomato plant is not getting proper aeration due to compact soil, it may cause the leaves to turn yellow. Loosen the area with your hand to provide an adequate level of oxygen needed.
Gently loosen it without damaging the plants and roots.
Excessive Watering
Excess or low water conditions turn the leaves yellow. Water the tomato plants once every five to seven days. Avoid damp and soggy soil.
Transplant Shock
When the plant’s transplants from one location to another, they might undergo a transplant shock which causes the leaves to turn yellow.
The bottom leaves will turn yellow due to this shock. Don’t worry!
It’s a short phase that will be recovered by the plant as soon as it gets fit into the new environment. Sometimes the yellow leaves eventually drop off and give rise to green leaves.
Pest and Diseases
Pests
- Aphids
- Thrips
- Spider mites
- Flea beetles
- Whiteflies
- hornworms
- cutworms
Fungal Diseases
- Early blight
- Septoria leaf spot
- Fusarium wilt
- Verticillium wilt
Bacterial Diseases
- Bacterial wilt
Viral Diseases
Viral diseases may cause the tomato leaves to turn yellow. It includes
- Tomato mosaic virus
- Tobacco mosaic virus
- Single streak virus
- Cucumber mosaic virus
- Tomato yellow leaf curl
Conclusion
There are various reasons for causing yellow leaves in tomato plants. The most common are due to nutritional deficiencies and common plant diseases caused by fungi, viruses, and bacteria.
Let’s discuss the causes of yellow leaves in tomato plants. The earlier you diagnose the yellowing cause, the quicker the mitigation process will be.
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