The sight of a tomato infected with brown rot hits hobby gardeners deep in the heart. The desire to eat at least seemingly he althy parts of the plant involuntarily arises. So are tomatoes contaminated in this way still edible? We know the answer.
Are tomatoes with brown rot still edible?
Are tomatoes with brown rot still edible? No, eating tomatoes affected by the fungal infection brown rot is not recommended because the pathogen Phytophthora infestans can release toxins that can be carcinogenic. Even seemingly he althy plant parts are affected and should not be consumed.
Do not consume fruit from tomato plants with brown rot
The fungal infection brown rot in tomato cultivation is quite rightly spreading fear and terror among gardeners. The pathogen Phytophthora infestans releases toxins that can becarcinogenic. Whether it is actually late blight can be seen from these indications:
- Stems and leaves are covered with diffuse, brown spots
- a dirty-white fungal lawn develops on the underside of the leaf
- the leaves turn brown, later black and fall off
- the tomatoes are peppered with glassy, brownish spots
Insidious, the spores have infected the entire plant long before the visible symptoms appear. For this reason, it is strongly advised not to consume it, even if no brown spots or similar features are visible (source: Federal Environment Agency). It is therefore of no use to cut out the discolored parts. Boiling or frying doesn't help either because the fungal spores are heat-resistant. Also learn about blossom end rot. Also find out about black spots on tomatoes.
Helpful tips for brown rot prevention
So that you don't even have to worry about eating tomatoes with brown rot, you have a whole arsenal of preventive measures at your disposal:
- Planting tomato plants in the greenhouse
- Always grow outdoors with rain protection
- never plant in the immediate vicinity of potatoes
- basically water during the morning hours
- never water over leaves and flowers
- spread a layer of mulch to protect against splash water
- Deleaf the lower part of tomato plants
- consistently exercise several times a week
- Meticulously disinfect trellises and binding material
The more vital and he althy a plant is, the more resistant it is to brown rot. Strengthen your tomato plants right from the start with natural liverwort extract (€11.00 on Amazon).
Read how you can recognize, treat and prevent other tomato diseases.
Tips & Tricks
Tomatoes with brown rot do not go into the compost. The spores can survive there and re-infect your lovingly cared for garden plants via the compost. Dispose of fruit and plant parts in household waste or the organic waste bin.
