What's wrong with this tomato

[AMKuska]

My husband grew this from a package of tomato seeds, is confused by it looking like Frankenstein's monster, and wants to know if it is even a tomato and why it looks like this.

 

[Shades-of-Oregon]

Looks like - Damping off is a fungal disease that kills young seedlings by causing their stems to rot at the soil line.

 

[heirloomgal]

My guess is that it's a genetic dud, with how the lower stem is swelling significantly in the center and there is no proper growth tip forming. There is energy going up but it can't extend. I see stuff like this occasionally too, its usually pretty random. Some times two starter leaves grow and nothing forms between them, I see it in beans as well as toms. I would tend to think the seedling is perishing because its simply unable to grow with those genetics.

 

[flowerbug]

My guess is that it's a genetic dud, with how the lower stem is swelling significantly in the center and there is no proper growth tip forming. There is energy going up but it can't extend. I see stuff like this occasionally too, its usually pretty random. Some times two starter leaves grow and nothing forms between them, I see it in beans as well as toms. I would tend to think the seedling is perishing because its simply unable to grow with those genetics.

yes, it does happen. not all genetic combinations are favorable.

 

[SPedigrees]

My husband grew this from a package of tomato seeds, is confused by it looking like Frankenstein's monster, and wants to know if it is even a tomato and why it looks like this.

This question opens the door to an existential side of tomato growing.