What is happening with tomatos? Find a solution in less than a minute.
Tomato growers often face Blossom-End Rot. It's disheartening to see fruits on the verge of ripening get ruined this way. However, this is not a new disease. Every farmer growing tomatoes should take precautions to prevent Blossom-End Rot. It's a disorder that can dramatically reduce both the quality and quantity of the yield. The damage can be prevented or reduced by using some common fertilizers and proper irrigation practices.
Blossom-End Rot is a physiological disorder or an abiotic disease caused by environmental changes. It is not a fungal or bacterial disease as is commonly believed.
Blossom-End Rot appears as a brown, leathery rot. It starts about the size of a rupee and can grow larger. Over time, it may also develop fungal growth. Blossom-End Rot can also occur inside the fruit, invisible from the outside but noticeable when the fruit is cut open.
This disease is caused by a calcium deficiency. It usually occurs due to fluctuations in water supply. Even though calcium is a common component of soil, it doesn't dissolve easily in water. Moreover, the calcium that is absorbed doesn't spread evenly within the crop. Even a slight change in water flow can increase the risk of this disease.
Along with tomatoes, crops like peppers, bell peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, watermelons, and muskmelons can also show symptoms similar to Blossom-End Rot. To prevent this, spray Yara Vita Stop IT Liquid at 1 ml per liter or Calcium Nitrate at 3 grams per liter every 15-20 days after flowering.
Additionally, keep the following in mind:
- Maintain soil pH between 6 and 6.5
- Manage fertilizers based on soil testing
- Use mulching to retain moisture
- Manage water regularly
- Some tomato varieties are resistant to this disease. Keep a diary of your observations to choose the right seeds.
- Diseased fruits do not recover, remove them immediately.
- You can ask your questions in the comments!
