In recent years, many vegetable farmers have reported that the first and second batches of fruits in their greenhouse-grown tomatoes showed signs of fruit cracking at the pedicels. A notable feature of this cracking is that it often starts from the base of the flower and becomes visible when the fruit splits open. These cracks are not just cosmetic; they can affect fruit quality and marketability.
Upon field inspection, the affected tomatoes were diagnosed with a condition known as tomato deformity. While both malformed fruits and cracked fruits are classified as physiological disorders, they present different symptoms due to distinct underlying causes. Tomato deformity can manifest in several ways, including: 1) pointed type, where the fruit has a protruding or elongated tip resembling an olecranon; 2) polygonal type, characterized by elongated fruits with multiple grooves; 3) top depression, where the top of the fruit sinks inward; and 4) grain exposure, where seeds become visible through cracks at the pedicel. Additionally, some fruits may show pod-like symptoms.
Cracked fruits typically fall into three categories: radial cracking, ring cracking, and stripe cracking. These issues have become increasingly common in greenhouse-grown tomatoes, primarily due to incomplete development of flowers and fruits. The proper development of tomato flowers and fruits depends heavily on the quality of flower bud differentiation. During the transplanting stage, especially for the first and second ear fruits, exposure to extreme temperatures—either too high or too low—can interfere with normal development.
Tomato seedlings usually reach the six-leaf stage before flower buds begin to differentiate. By this time, the first four floral spots have already started forming. However, if the seedlings experience low temperatures, high temperatures, water stress, or excessive nitrogen fertilizer during this critical period, the flower buds may over-differentiate, leading to malformation. This results in deformed fruits early in the growing season.
In some cases, temperature fluctuations or prolonged drought during the nursery or transplanting phase can also contribute to the problem. When plants are under stress, such as limited water supply or insufficient nitrogen, the flower buds may develop cork-like tissues. Once transplanted into more favorable conditions, these cork tissues struggle to keep up with the rapid growth of new internal tissues, causing cracks, exposed seeds, or other deformities.
To address this issue, several control measures are recommended. First, select tomato varieties that are less prone to producing deformed fruits, such as Hongyu, Hongbao, Xifen 3, Jiahong, Lichun, and others. Second, use plant growth regulators appropriately. If seedlings grow too quickly, avoid relying solely on water restriction or cooling. Instead, apply a "multipurpose" 200-fold solution or a 0.01% concentration of growth regulator to manage growth effectively. Third, ensure proper watering techniques—avoid deep plowing and instead use a diluted solution (30 ml per 15 kg of water) for irrigation. Combining this with organic fertilizers, such as 30 grams of Angray (grain) per 30 kg of fertilizer, can improve soil permeability and enhance nutrient absorption.
Lastly, if exposed fruits are observed, they should be removed promptly. To prevent and treat tomato deformities, it is advisable to spray a boron and calcium solution diluted 600–800 times every six days for two to three consecutive applications. This method has proven effective in reducing the occurrence of grain-exposed fruits and improving overall fruit quality.
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