For the most part, incidence is low and occurrence sporadic. There has been one report of serious crop damage has been reported on watermelon nearing maturity, where phythophthora fruit rot has caused significant losses. Tomato little leaf has been observed in at least two fields in the area. It occurs on wet soils and is apparently caused by the release of amino acid analogs by soil microorganisms under wet conditions. These compounds are taken up by plant causing the expression of virus-like symptoms.
Control consists largely of managing soil moisture to avoid water logging.
Maintaining soil pH below 6.3 or less can also reduce development of the problem. Affected plants generally resume normal growth once soil moisture levels become more favorable. Scattered reports of fusarium crown rot on tomato have been received. News you can use Burt McKee of UAP speaking at a recent growers meeting advised growers that the use of soil or similar absorbent material one of the best and most economical methods of cleaning up pesticide spills on the farm. This simple technique involves the use of soil to absorb the spilled material followed by the application of the contaminated soil to a labeled crop at the labeled rate.