A Bioassay Investigation of Calcium Nutrition and Tomato Shoulder Check Cracking Defect

Abstract

Fruit physiological disorders such as shoulder check crack defects in tomato fruits are frequently inconsistent in appearance. This poses a challenge to researchers and growers. The severity and incidence of crack defects depends largely on weather conditions and may vary from almost nondetectable to causing severe yields losses. A bioassay was developed to consistently induce fruit cracking and to evaluate the effect of calcium (Ca) treatments. Detached vine ripe and mature green fruits were either waxed or not waxed with paraffin on the stem end (calyx scar) and immersed into water and 90 mM CaCl 2 solutions for 4-l6 days at 25 C incubation conditions. Mature green fruit was a more sensitive indicator than red ripe fruit, showing rapid water uptake within 2 h of treatment and having a consistent cracking

Physiology of fruit cracking in wax apple (Syzygium samarangense)

“…Based on our data, the cause of wax apple fruit cracking is similar to what the previous researchers found in tomato (Huang and Snapp 2004). It has been suggested that calcium with wax be sprayed to fruits of tomatoes during their maturity period, or at least before the heavy rain for preventing fruit cracking (Huang and Snapp 2004). This suggestion could probably be followed to prevent fruit cracking of wax apple too.…”

“…The data presented here can be helpful to validate the recently developed fruit cracking prediction model under a real environment conditions (Ehret et al 2008). Based on our data, the cause of wax apple fruit cracking is similar to what the previous researchers found in tomato (Huang and Snapp 2004). It has been suggested that calcium with wax be sprayed to fruits of tomatoes during their maturity period, or at least before the heavy rain for preventing fruit cracking (Huang and Snapp 2004).…”

Effect of different organic fertilizers on yield and fruit quality of ındeterminate tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum)

“…Furthermore, it was reported that several other factors such as ecological conditions and production practices were effective on cracking rates of tomato fruits (Ohta et al, 1998;Suzuki and Yanase, 2005;Dorias et al, 2001;Kennely, 2009;Masarirambi et al, 2009;Huang and Snapp, 2004). The fruit cracking was higher in organic fertilizer treatments than the inorganic fertilizer at the present study.…”

Genetic Improvement of Fresh Market Tomatoes for Yield and Fruit Quality Over 35 Years in North Carolina: A Review

“…Because of frequent rainfall and heavy dew during the summer production season in North Carolina, fruit cracking can be a severe problem. Harvesting fruit at the vine ripe stage also leads to more fruit cracking because fruit are more prone to cracking as they begin to ripen (Huang and Snapp, 2004). The breeding line 'NC 50-7' has a high level of resistance to radial and concentric fruit cracking and to fine cuticle cracking, which is referred to as "weather check" (Gardner, 1982).…”