Q&A – Why do my tomatoes keep getting phenoxy herbicide damage?
Question:
I have what looks like phenoxy herbicide damage happening again and again on my tomatoes. They are in a raised bed made of horse manure and other soil mixes. Are there herbicides in the soil and will it ever be any good?
Answer:
The damage is most likely coming from you or your neighbor applying herbicide to the lawn to kill weeds. Phenoxy herbicides (2,4-D, dicamba, etc.) are very volatile and can become airborne easily. Tomatoes are very sensitive to herbicides and will be affected by the vaporized herbicides even if the plants are not directly sprayed. Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison gives some guidance on when to spray and not spray phenoxy herbicides. Also, he suggests not using a sprayer for herbicides and fungicides. Even after rinsing the tank a small amount of herbicide may remain which will damage the tomatoes.
Related Resources
Diagnosing Herbicide Injury on Garden and Landscape Plants
Herbicide Damage - Vegetables
I have what looks like phenoxy herbicide damage happening again and again on my tomatoes. They are in a raised bed made of horse manure and other soil mixes. Are there herbicides in the soil and will it ever be any good?
Answer:
The damage is most likely coming from you or your neighbor applying herbicide to the lawn to kill weeds. Phenoxy herbicides (2,4-D, dicamba, etc.) are very volatile and can become airborne easily. Tomatoes are very sensitive to herbicides and will be affected by the vaporized herbicides even if the plants are not directly sprayed. Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison gives some guidance on when to spray and not spray phenoxy herbicides. Also, he suggests not using a sprayer for herbicides and fungicides. Even after rinsing the tank a small amount of herbicide may remain which will damage the tomatoes.
Related Resources
Diagnosing Herbicide Injury on Garden and Landscape Plants
Herbicide Damage - Vegetables