Ferretti says severe leaf roll can expose tomatoes to too much sun, causing sunscald and other problems. Leaf roll can show up when plants are severely pruned, or when heavy rains maintain an excessive amount of moisture in the soil. A chemical, called juglone, oozing from the roots and other parts of black walnut or butternut trees can lethally wilt or stunt tomato plants. Tomatoes are highly sensitive to injuries caused by many weedkillers, especially growth-regulating chemicals. Injuries include distorted leaves, twisted stems, flower drop and abnormal fruit.
Pesticides can drift from as far away as a half-mile or more.
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