Tomato Blight

The dread of all tomato growers has arrived at Worcester College in the Pump Quad display pots. It is caused by the fungus Phytophthora infestans and loves to attack tomatoes, potatoes and their relatives in the Solanum species. Brown, rapidly spreading lesions can be found on the leaves and stems, spreading to form patches of rot on the fruit with infected tissues dying rapidly. The warm, wet weather seen in August has been the perfect breeding ground for this fungus. A close eye is being kept on the tomato plants in the display and may have to be removed.