Is this a virus?

[Nematode]

This has appeared on 2 and possibly 3 of 50 plants.
The lower growth is normal, the tops are pale and mottled as in the pic.
Fruits on 1 of the plants showing very blotchy ripening.


I can't seem to match this to a particular virus, but the mottled pale leaves and blotchy ripening have me concerned.
These plants have growing media thats a bit wet due to poor choice this spring if thats a factor.

[Nematode]

Blotchy fruit

[gorbelly]

Looks like nutrient deficiency to me. My guess would be iron, but if media-based, it could be multiple issues. Any possibility that, in addition to being too wet, the media may have the wrong pH?

[Nematode]

I have had Iron deficiency in the past, and it doesn't look like a typical presentation, all the plants are on the same feed, and usually nutrient problems are obvious across a wide swath of the garden.

It does have a strange interveinal chlorosis though......almost like a molybdenum def.

I would not rule out problems in the root zone causing deficiency in certain plants as they succumb to wet feet. Its like a switch was flipped, normal growth, then above that thin pale growth with mottled foliage as in the first pic.

[MissS]

I think that it is nutrient deficiency. Especially with the effect observed on the newer growth on the top of the plant. It could be nitrogen or Magnesium. How about a little feed of some Epsom Salts.

[Worth1]

Here is a link to F wilt.
Some of those pictuers look like yours.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=...986754&cad=rjt

[gorbelly]

Originally Posted by Nematode

I have had Iron deficiency in the past, and it doesn't look like a typical presentation, all the plants are on the same feed, and usually nutrient problems are obvious across a wide swath of the garden.

It does have a strange interveinal chlorosis though......almost like a molybdenum def.

I would not rule out problems in the root zone causing deficiency in certain plants as they succumb to wet feet. Its like a switch was flipped, normal growth, then above that thin pale growth with mottled foliage as in the first pic.

Yeah, "nutrient deficiency" in the sense that the plant is deficient because of problems with roots, pH, etc. Not in the sense that the soil or feed is deficient. Because you said it was the plants in the wet medium that were having this issue, I assumed it was a nutrient uptake issue.

[Hellmanns]

I think I see oviposition marks in the blotch on that fruit, if it's the case you have western flower thrips.

[Cole_Robbie]

Whiteflies can also cause blotchy ripening, and I think I might see a stink bug bite or two as well.

[Nematode]

Hellmanns,
You are full of good news.
I fear you are right, there is a string of dimples in that blotch.
So do I have a mystery virus from these thrips?
could this also explain the empty and sparse trusses that srarted at truss 4-5?
Whats my next step?

[gorbelly]

Here's a photo from Mississippi State University of iron chlorosis in tomato.



Although I agree it does look like you also have flower thrips. Good eye, Hellmanns!

[Hellmanns]

I don't see a virus, just the damage to the fruit from the thrips. I'd say the chlorosis is from heavy fruiting, as evidenced from the bare trusses.

[Hellmanns]

A few years back this issue caused me fits for a couple of years after the thrips moved in here. They don't cause the blotches on every variety, just the softer varieties. It affected my main market variety Fabulous f1. It took me awhile to put it all together because the blotches were just on the early set of fruit.

[Nematode]

Gorbelly,
That looks very much like it.

Hellmanns,
Thanks for your insight as well. They are fruiting fairly heavily.

I won't pull them unless there are further developments.
I'll check ph later.

[Shapshftr]

Originally Posted by Nematode

Gorbelly,
That looks very much like it.

Hellmanns,
Thanks for your insight as well. They are fruiting fairly heavily.

I won't pull them unless there are further developments.
I'll check ph later.

I agree it looks like iron chlorosis on the leaves and blotchy ripening of the fruits, likely from lack of potassium. Here is a good article on blotchy ripening, including heavy fruit load:

http://agdev.anr.udel.edu/weeklycropupdate/?p=1503

As for the iron chlorosis, I would recommend Ironite solution. It has the macros and micros, so it will cover everything:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VRRPLE...I3NY8RI964GB1D