FAYETTEVILLE — Heavy spring rains in Arkansas have resulted in a fungal disease that destroys tomato plants.
Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service pest management specialist Jackie Lee said late blight has been found in 14 counties in central Arkansas. She said about three plants are typically seen each year with the disease but that 20 infected plants have been diagnosed this year.
Lee said the disease starts at the bottom of the plant and works its way up, rapidly killing the plant. The first sign is a brownish gray tissue on the leaves.
Lee said infected plants should be burned or placed in plastic trash bags so the spores can't spread.
Counties affected so far are Clark, Lee, Hot Spring, Independence, Boone, Conway, Dallas, Garland, Bradley, Clark, Pulaski, Grant, White and Dallas.