Blog

May 30, 2023

What's wrong with my tomatoes

Q. I am having trouble with my tomatoes. I have noticed brown spots near the base of the fruit. They start out small but continue to increase in size. What is this disease and how can I get rid of it?

Q. I am having trouble with my tomatoes. I have noticed brown spots near the base of the fruit. They start out small but continue to increase in size. What is this disease and how can I get rid of it?

A. Well, if it is any consolation, you are not alone. We have been getting several calls from folks that appear to have the same tomato malady as you.

The culprit is blossom-end rot (BER) and it is actually a physiological disorder, not a disease. It is easily identified as a brown, leathery rot developing on or near the blossom-end of the fruit. It starts with a dry brown, dime-sized lesion, generally increasing in diameter as the condition worsens. In time, lesions often become covered with a black mold.

Now that you know what it is, let’s discuss the causes.

BER occurs as a result of calcium deficiency within the plant. This deficiency is typically induced by fluctuations in the plant’s water supply.

Due to the fact that calcium is not a highly “mobile” element in the plant, even brief changes in the water supply can cause BER.

Droughty soil or damage to the roots from excessive or improper cultivation (severe root pruning) can restrict water intake preventing the plant from getting the calcium that it needs.

Also, if plants are growing in highly acidic soil or are getting too much water from heavy rain, over-irrigation, or high relative humidity, they can develop calcium deficiency and BER.

To control BER, take the following steps:

∙ Keep the pH of the soil at 6.0 to 6.5. Perform a soil test and apply the recommended rate of lime, using dolomitic or high-calcium limestone. This step should take place 2 to 4 months before planting tomatoes.

∙ Apply the required amount of fertilizer when necessary based on soil test results for tomato. Applying too much fertilizer at one time can induce BER. Following soil test recommendations is the surest way to fertilize properly.

∙ Use mulches, such as pine straw, decomposed sawdust or newspapers, to conserve moisture.

∙ Give your plants adequate water. Tomato plants need about 1.5 inches of water per week during fruiting. Extreme fluctuations in soil moisture can result in a greater incidence of BER.

∙ This is the step that you have been waiting for. If your plants develop BER, drench the soil around their roots with a calcium solution containing four pounds of calcium nitrate or calcium chloride per 100 gallons of water (or four level tablespoons per gallon of water). Contrary to popular belief, spraying the plants with calcium has no effect on BER.

∙ Some varieties of tomato tend to be more sensitive to conditions that cause BER. Try growing several varieties and keep notes as to their performance.

If you experience severe problems with BER, you should remove the infected fruits. Once a fruit develops BER, it will not re-grow or repair the infected area. In fact, the damaged area could serve as an entry point for disease-causing bacteria or fungi.

Happy gardening!

For more information about this topic or if you have other horticulture-related questions, call Bethany O’Rear at 205-612-9524 or email [email protected].