Tomatoes Rot - Ask Extension
What is going on with these tomatoes? They were not on the ground and the discolored area is semi firm, not mushy. Is this something I need to look af...
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Tomatoes Rot #875319
Asked June 30, 2024, 9:21 AM EDT
What is going on with these tomatoes? They were not on the ground and the discolored area is semi firm, not mushy. Is this something I need to look after for the rest of my tomato garden.
Montgomery County Maryland
Expert Response
Hi, based on the photos we think this is blossom-end rot (BER), a common problem in tomatoes, peppers, squash, and watermelon, but it's also possible that it's buckeye rot (see bottom of this response).
BER- the discoloration and change in texture are due to the breakdown of cell walls caused by a calcium shortage, which can occur even if the soil calcium level is high.
Different plant stresses, especially inconsistent soil moisture, can trigger BER. Determinate-type plants that are heavily pruned are more susceptible to it.
It is often a short-term problem. Remove affected fruits as soon as you see it starting. Water your plants deeply and regularly during hot, dry weather. If possible, 1/4 cup of gypsum (calcium sulfate) should be applied around each plant and watered in. Gypsum won't affect the soil pH and the calcium is fast-acting.
BER web page: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/blossom-end-rot-vegetables/
Buckeye rot- it's a fungal disease that produces similar symptoms to BER but they appear on the sides and bottoms of tomato fruits. You would see light and dark rings in the lesions. It's usually seen on fruits that are in contact with soil.
Buckeye rot references:
https://blogs.cornell.edu/livegpath/gallery/tomato/tomato-buckeye-fruit-rot/
http://extension.cropsciences.illinois.edu/fruitveg/pdfs/973-Buckey_Rot_of_Tomato-2014.pdf
Let us know if the symptoms change or worsen.
Jon
BER- the discoloration and change in texture are due to the breakdown of cell walls caused by a calcium shortage, which can occur even if the soil calcium level is high.
Different plant stresses, especially inconsistent soil moisture, can trigger BER. Determinate-type plants that are heavily pruned are more susceptible to it.
It is often a short-term problem. Remove affected fruits as soon as you see it starting. Water your plants deeply and regularly during hot, dry weather. If possible, 1/4 cup of gypsum (calcium sulfate) should be applied around each plant and watered in. Gypsum won't affect the soil pH and the calcium is fast-acting.
BER web page: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/blossom-end-rot-vegetables/
Buckeye rot- it's a fungal disease that produces similar symptoms to BER but they appear on the sides and bottoms of tomato fruits. You would see light and dark rings in the lesions. It's usually seen on fruits that are in contact with soil.
Buckeye rot references:
https://blogs.cornell.edu/livegpath/gallery/tomato/tomato-buckeye-fruit-rot/
http://extension.cropsciences.illinois.edu/fruitveg/pdfs/973-Buckey_Rot_of_Tomato-2014.pdf
Let us know if the symptoms change or worsen.
Jon
