Submitted to: Plant Health Progress
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/11/2025
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: High tunnels, also known as hoop houses, are a popular way to grow tomatoes protected from the weather. High tunnels provide an ideal growing environment for tomatoes, but also provide a good environment for tomato pathogens to survive in soil. Tomato pathogens in the soil can greatly reduce tomato yields. In this study, we surveyed soils from 12 states to improve our understanding of how commonly these pathogens are found in high tunnels. All pathogens were found in more than 55% of high tunnels (265 high tunnels surveyed) and include the pathogens that cause corky root rot (Pseudopyrenochaeta spp.), black dot root rot (Colletotrichum coccodes), Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae) and root-knot (Meloidogyne spp.). This information is used to help farmers make disease management decisions to reduce the impacts of these diseases on tomato yield.

Technical Abstract: Although high tunnels protect against extreme weather conditions, increased soil temperatures and lack of crop rotation within these structures result in the accumulation of soilborne pathogens in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) production. In Ohio, soilborne diseases occur in a complex of corky root rot (Pseudopyrenochaeta spp.), black dot root rot (Colletotrichum coccodes), Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae) and root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.). However, this soilborne disease complex has not been assessed in high tunnel tomato production in nearby states. This study sought to evaluate the prevalence of soilborne diseases in 265 tomato high tunnels from 12 states including Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Kentucky. Pseudopyrenochaeta spp. were found in 57.4% of high tunnels. C. coccodes was identified in 77.7% of high tunnels. V. dahliae was present in 68.3% of high tunnels. Meloidogyne spp. was identified in 62.4% of high tunnels. Growers participating in the surveys were provided with soil test results and disease management recommendations specific to the diseases identified in their production system.