What is wrong with my Tomatos

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BRN1234
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What is wrong with my Tomatos

#1

Post: # 146723Unread post BRN1234
Sat Mar 08, 2025 12:27 pm

I’ve been growing tomatoes for four years, but this year, for the first time, one particular type has started developing brown rings (see attached photo). Out of my 130 tomato plants, 27 are of this specific type, and nearly all of them are showing these markings or discolorations on their fruit. The other varieties, however, have not exhibited this problem—not even on a single tomato.

Has anyone encountered something like this? If so, what is it, and how can it be prevented?Image Image

Homegrwoninillinois
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Re: What is wrong with my Tomatos

#2

Post: # 146726Unread post Homegrwoninillinois
Sat Mar 08, 2025 12:42 pm

BRN1234 wrote: Sat Mar 08, 2025 12:27 pm I’ve been growing tomatoes for four years, but this year, for the first time, one particular type has started developing brown rings (see attached photo). Out of my 130 tomato plants, 27 are of this specific type, and nearly all of them are showing these markings or discolorations on their fruit. The other varieties, however, have not exhibited this problem—not even on a single tomato.

Has anyone encountered something like this? If so, what is it, and how can it be prevented?Image Image
Hi, the photos don’t show up for me.
Tomato and pepper collector :D Zone 6a, Northern Illinois.

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worth1
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Re: What is wrong with my Tomatos

#3

Post: # 146731Unread post worth1
Sat Mar 08, 2025 1:09 pm

Can't see photos.
Worth
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.

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You might as well be arguing with a cat.

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bower
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Re: What is wrong with my Tomatos

#4

Post: # 146741Unread post bower
Sat Mar 08, 2025 3:07 pm

Yep. Your image didn't attach properly.

Since you mentioned brown rings, take a look at this link I picked up from google, one of many but it shows brown rings very clearly which in this case are associated with Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus.
https://www.vegetables.bayer.com/ca/en- ... virus.html

The virus can be seedborne, so showing up on a single variety would be consistent with that issue.
Unfortunately it is extremely easy to spread and for a large grow operation as you mentioned, pretty much deadly.
Your university extension or ag department local should be able to help confirm the problem and what to do.

You may have to consider other crops to grow instead of tomatoes or peppers, for some years ahead.
AgCan Zone 5a/USDA zone 4
temperate marine climate
yearly precip 61 inches/1550 mm

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MissS
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Re: What is wrong with my Tomatos

#5

Post: # 146749Unread post MissS
Sat Mar 08, 2025 6:32 pm

@BRN1234 I can't see the pic's either. Try this: viewtopic.php?t=5499
Once we have a photo, it will be so much easier to help you.
~ Patti ~
AKA ~ Hooper

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Shule
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Re: What is wrong with my Tomatos

#6

Post: # 146752Unread post Shule
Sat Mar 08, 2025 7:57 pm

If you hit reply with quote, you can see these links to the images in the message while you're typing yours:

https://1drv.ms/i/c/7e7ca27de9168e66/ET ... g?e=tSLpSj

https://1drv.ms/i/c/7e7ca27de9168e66/Ef ... g?e=veRQZI
Location: SW Idaho, USA
Climate: BSk
USDA hardiness zone: 6
Elevation: 2,260 feet

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Shule
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Re: What is wrong with my Tomatos

#7

Post: # 146753Unread post Shule
Sat Mar 08, 2025 8:00 pm

I don't know what that is, however. It doesn't quite look like the pictures I see for Tomato Brown Rugose Virus. One of the pictures looks like it might be damage from an insect. Possibly stinkbugs.

Stinkbugs do suck on fruit, including before it's ripe.

Wonderberries (Solanum burbankii as seen on Trade Winds Fruit) seem to be a good trap crop for stinkbugs (they prefer them over tomatoes in my experience, and wonderberries are prolific enough that you can still get a decent harvest even if the stinkbugs get their fill).
Location: SW Idaho, USA
Climate: BSk
USDA hardiness zone: 6
Elevation: 2,260 feet

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bower
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Re: What is wrong with my Tomatos

#8

Post: # 146754Unread post bower
Sat Mar 08, 2025 8:21 pm

I was able to see one of the images that Shule linked: here's a screenshot of it.
I have never seen anything like this so someone else may be able to help.
Screenshot_2025-03-08_22-46-32.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
AgCan Zone 5a/USDA zone 4
temperate marine climate
yearly precip 61 inches/1550 mm

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MissS
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Re: What is wrong with my Tomatos

#9

Post: # 146755Unread post MissS
Sat Mar 08, 2025 8:46 pm

Here is the other image. I haven't seen this before either. It almost looks as if it were branded with heat.
image.png
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~ Patti ~
AKA ~ Hooper

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bower
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Re: What is wrong with my Tomatos

#10

Post: # 146783Unread post bower
Sun Mar 09, 2025 10:49 am

The brown spots are concentric, so... could this be Buckeye rot?

https://njaes.rutgers.edu/fs547/

https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/server/ap ... 47/content
AgCan Zone 5a/USDA zone 4
temperate marine climate
yearly precip 61 inches/1550 mm

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worth1
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Re: What is wrong with my Tomatos

#11

Post: # 146785Unread post worth1
Sun Mar 09, 2025 10:52 am

Buckeye rot.
I've never heard of it before. :o
Worth
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.

You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.

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bower
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Re: What is wrong with my Tomatos

#12

Post: # 146787Unread post bower
Sun Mar 09, 2025 11:03 am

The brown rugose fruit virus spots are described as "wrinkly" (aka rugose) but hard to tell from the scale of the pic, they just look smooth to my old eyes at this resolution. Pictures of the virus in google images do look like the fruit surface is quite puckered up, so that is a distinction to look for.
The only cases of TBRFV that I've heard of in the USA were related to F1 seeds produced in a greenhouse.
So if that one variety that got the spots was an F1, I'd be worried about it.

Buckeye rot, they say that it's soil dwelling and usually affects fruit in contact with the ground, but it could be splashed I guess. They also say that no tomato varieties are resistant to it, so it makes less sense that only one variety is affected.
AgCan Zone 5a/USDA zone 4
temperate marine climate
yearly precip 61 inches/1550 mm

KarenO
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Re: What is wrong with my Tomatos

#13

Post: # 146820Unread post KarenO
Mon Mar 10, 2025 2:26 am

IMG_6818.jpeg
What does the apical foliage look like? Is there any mottling or distortion in foliage?
This looks very concerning for tbrfv.
Mosaic viruses show up first in foliage.
Where did you get the seed

KarenO
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