
06/05/12, 09:55 PM
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Retired farmer-rancher
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: north-central Kansas
Posts: 2,895
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It's more likely that your tomato plants outgrew the root system and aren't able to take up water as fast as it is evaporating. The leaf curl is a defense mechanism and will ease when the roots are more developed.
edit to add this from Kansas State newsletter:
Physiological Leaf Curl in Tomatoes
Every year we have calls from gardeners who have tomato plants with
leaves that curl up. When tomato plants grow vigorously in mild, spring
weather the top growth often exceeds the root development. When the
first few days of warm, dry summer weather hit, the plant 'realizes'
that it has a problem and needs to increase its root development. The
plant tries to reduce its leaf area by rolling leaves. The leaves curl
along the length of the leaf (leaflet) in an upward fashion. It is often
accompanied by a thickening of the leaf giving it a leathery texture.
Interestingly, leaf roll is worse on some varieties than others.
Though rolling usually occurs during the spring to summer shift period,
it may also occur after a heavy cultivating or hoeing, a hard rain, or
any sudden change in weather. This year, it seems heavy rains have been
the culprit in certain areas of the state. Too much rain can saturate
the soil and suffocate the roots. A root system lacking in oxygen cannot
move water to the upper parts of the plant resulting in the same
symptoms that occur with too little soil moisture or a limited root
system. This leaf roll is a temporary condition that goes away after a
week or so when the plant has a chance to acclimate, recover from
injury, or the soil has a chance to dry out. (WU)
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