Gardeners Face Tomato Fruit Problems

Gardeners in some areas have faced a more than normal occurrence of tomato fruit rots and other problems this season. There are several reasons for the development of rots or other damage to tomato fruit. Among the most common rots are blossoms-end rot, anthracnose, soil rot, early blight and bacterial spot. Also damaging to tomato fruits are insect pests such as corn earworm and stinkbugs. Blossom-end rot is one of the most common tomato fruit problems, and the only one not caused by an insect or disease organism.

The dried, blackened end of the lower surface to the tomato is a result of unfavorable cultural or climatic conditions. These may include excess fertilization, extreme fluctuation in soil moisture (usually changes from too wet to too dry) or low soil calcium. Uniform watering and the use of heavy mulches to make soil moisture more constant area beneficial. Where low calcium is know to be a problem, additions of lime, especially early in the season when the soil is prepared, can help reduce the chances of this problem occurring. Blossom-end rot may appear on green as well as ripe tomatoes.

Anthracnose is a common rot that usually appears on fruits as they begin to ripen or after they are ripe. It appears as circular, slightly sunken spots. These spots often have a dark center and increase in size until they grow together. Finally, the spotted fruits may rot completely. Green fruits may be infected, but not show the problem until they ripen. Wet weather promotes the development of this disease. The disease may overwinter in the soil in refuse from diseased plants. Garden cleanliness, pruning plants to give good air movement through the leaves and watering early enough in the day to permit rapid drying of the plants can reduce the problem.

Prompt removal of any diseased tomatoes is also important. A fungicide applied at seven to ten day intervals can also help bring the disease under control. Materials such as folpet (Phaltan), Maneb (Mancozeb) or zineb can be beneficial. Soil rots often appear as brown, sunken spots with concentric markings and cracking in more advanced stages. They are caused by the same fungus that causes a seedling disease called "damping off." These spots generally develop where tomatoes touch the ground.

Wet conditions also promote this problem. Staking tomatoes or using a heavy mulch to keep fruits from touching the soil help reduce or eliminate this problem. Early blight is a common leaf disease that causes spotting and death of lower leaves, in severe conditions it may cause black, leathery sunken areas.

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