Physciological disorder of tomato

Physciological disorder of tomato M.Sc.(Ag) Vegetable science students,
Production technology of warm season vegetable crops

1. Physiological disorders of Tomato Solanum lycopersicum  (  Lycopersicon esculentum ) By Dr.Bineeta Devi Assistant Professor

2. Tomato Botanical name Solanum lycopersicum Primary centre of origin Peru Secondary centre of origin Mexico Popularly known as Poor man’s Orange

3. Physiological Disorder Physiological disorder is the abnormal growth pattern or abnormal external or internal conditions of fruits due to adverse environmental conditions such as deviation from normal state of temperature, light, moisture, nutrient, harmful gases and inadequate supply of growth regulators.

4. Physiological disorders in tomato Blossom End Rot 2 . Cracking of fruits 3 . Puffiness/ Hollowness 4 . Sunscald 5. Cold Injury or Low temperature injury 6. Blotchy Ripening 7. Cat face 8. Gold fleck

5. Blossom End Rot Symptoms : A very common and destructive disorder . Rotting of fruits starts at blossom end of the fruit. A brown or water soaked discoloration near the blossom end (opposite the stem end) of the fruit.  Affected portion becomes sunken, leathery and dark colored Fruit do not soft rot unless the spots are invaded by secondary organisms . Deficiency of Mg and Ca is the main cause .

6. Management It can be managed by spraying calcium chloride @ 0.5% at fruit development stage. Apply balanced irrigation and ensure proper staking . Misting or Fogging inside the green house reduces the incidence. Use of Polythene mulch to maintain adequate soil moisture.

7. Cracking of fruits Symptoms: Radial cracking is more severe than concentric cracking Cracking start from stem end in ripe fruits Concentric crack around the shoulders of green fruit  Fruit cracking is most common on the large-fruited varieties. Causes: Heavy rainfall or irrigation following a long, dry period promotes rapid growth during ripening.

8. Images of Tomato fruit Cracking disorder

9. Management Maintain optimum soil moisture Grow resistant cultivars .Ex:- pusa ruby, Sioux, Roma, Arka saurabh Soil application of 20-30 kg of borax per hectare is beneficial . I n the greenhouse or conservatory, control temperature and sunlight levels carefully to avoid extremes, using combinations of heating, ventilation and white greenhouse paint as appropriate

10. Puffiness/ Hollowness Symptoms: Puffiness refers to existence of open cavities between the outer walls and locular content in one or more locules and is also known as hollowness or boxiness . The outer wall continues to develop but the growth of remaining internal tissues is retarded. This results in light weight fruits which lack firmness and are partially filled

11. Causes of puffiness : Non fertilization of ovules Embryo abortion after normal fertilization High temperature and high soil moisture are predisposing factors.

12. Management • Maintaining optimum soil moisture. • Avoid over irrigation. Single application of 4-CPA @ 20mg/ litre or CPPU @ 20-25mg/ litre results in reduction of this problem.

13. Sunscald Symptoms: • Green or near green of fruits exposed to sun light. • The tissues have blistered, water soaked appearance . • Rapid desiccation leads sunken area on ripe fruits. More sun intensity cause injury to fruits in May & June (11-3 pm) during peak heat period.

14. Management Grow varieties having heavy foliage which provide greater protection to fruits from sun rays. Crop are planted at higher densities are less susceptible Cultivation of indeterminate/ semi- determinate varities without staking.

15. Cold Injury or Low temperature injury Tomato is very sensitive to frost. At near freezing temperature, vines freeze, get withered and desiccated. Fruits show much severe symptoms as they become soft, water soaked and dull coloured. Management Cover the fruits with foliage to manage this problem. Planting should be adjusted in such a way that it does not coincide with frost.

16. Blotchy Ripening Symptoms: Ripening of fruits is not uniform as certain portion develop colour while in others greenish-yellow or whitish patches can be seen on ripe fruits particularly in stem end portion. This disorder is also known as the grey wall. Causes : The possible reasons are imbalance of N and K nutrition especially when K is deficient. Even, more days or weeks of alternate sun and cloud during fruiting also lead to blotchy ripening

17. Management • Regulated water supply during fruit development . • Foliar sprays of 0.5% potassium chloride. Adjust planting date to achieve favorable light intensity for good fruit development.

18. Cat face Symptoms: The fruit gets distorted at the blossom end. The fruits have ridges, furrows, indentations and blotches The cells at blossom end of the ovary die and turn black and forms leathery blotch

19. Causes: • Unfavorable climatic condition during flowering causes distortion of growth of the pistil cells. Control: Grow varieties free from this distortion . Grow tomatoes in the ample growing conditions. Recommended cultural practices should be adopted.

20. Gold fleck Symptoms: Gold specks or flecks are often observed around the calyx and shoulders of mature fruit, particularly in summer. Tiny yellow spots appear on the fruits surface around the calyx and fruit shoulder.

21. Causes: Higher supply of calcium and phosphate fertilizers. Excess calcium oxalates Management: Apply recommended dose of calcium and potassic fertilizers. Provide shade during summer season

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