Relation of fruit development to the incidence of blossom-end rot of tomatoes.

Abstract

The incidence of blossom-end rot of glasshouse tomatoes in Ghana was strongly influenced by plant vigour. In vigorously growing plants the incipient stages of blossom-end rot occurred from 7 to 10 days after anthesis during a period when the plants seemed to be sensitive to Ca deficiency. Plants with less vigour produced normal fruits. Calcium deficiency in the plant and the rate of fruit growth were associated factors determining the prevalence and severity of the disorder. An increase or decrease in the rate of fruit growth induced by changing the area of leaf assimilation also influenced the amount of blossom-end rot. Calcium deficiency in the plant did not always produce blossom-end rot; Ca deficiency in the fruit only appeared when the rate of fruit growth exceeded a certain limit. Slowly developing fruits did not develop blossom-end rot even when severe symptoms of Ca deficiency were visible in the plant.-Univ. Ghana. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)