Causes of Deformed Tomatoes and the Latest Solutions
Tomatoes are a common vegetable, and as their planting area continues to expand, the phenomenon of deformed fruit is becoming more and more common, becoming an important factor affecting tomato quality and yield. How to prevent and control deformed tomatoes is also a problem farmers currently need to solve. So what is going on with deformed tomatoes? How should they be dealt with? Let's take a look together.
I. Causes of Deformed Tomatoes
1. Unsuitable temperature
During the flower bud differentiation stage of tomatoes, temperatures that are too high or too low will affect normal flower bud differentiation. Once early flower bud differentiation is poor, deformed fruit will appear later. For example, in winter, the nighttime temperature during tomato flower bud differentiation must not be lower than 12°C, and in summer, daytime temperatures should not exceed 30°C. However, in summer and autumn, temperatures in many areas are relatively high, and daytime temperatures exceeding 35°C are very normal, thus causing deformation later.
2. Improper flower dipping
If the concentration of the flower-dipping hormone is too high, especially during high-temperature periods, the flower-dipping concentration should be appropriately reduced; otherwise, deformed fruit will also form. Or if the timing of flower dipping is unsuitable, for example, dipping too early can easily form stiff fruit, while dipping too late can cause fruit cracking.
3. Nutrient imbalance
The growth and development of tomatoes require many nutrients. If certain nutrients are lacking, the fruit can also become deformed, especially when trace elements are deficient. For example, calcium deficiency and boron deficiency can easily cause deformed flowers and deformed fruit. If vegetative growth is too late, or if continuous rainy weather occurs during the fruiting period, the plants can easily become leggy, affecting reproductive growth, so that the nutrients needed for flower and fruit growth are insufficient, thereby forming deformed fruit.
II. Solutions
1. Control temperature
In particular, pay attention to controlling the temperature inside the greenhouse so that it is not too high and does not exceed 35°C for a long time. Cooling measures such as flood irrigation, pulling shade nets, and spraying cooling agents can be used.
2. Scientific fertilization
In tomato production, fertilization should be reasonable, with emphasis on the application of organic fertilizer, to ensure balanced nutrients. When plants lack trace elements, they can be supplemented by foliar spraying. For example, spraying a low-concentration borax solution during the fruiting period can promote fruit expansion and improve variety and yield.
3. Rational use of flower-dipping agents
When dipping flowers, pay attention to the concentration of the flower-dipping agent; as the temperature rises, lower the concentration of the agent, and conversely, when the temperature is lower, the concentration can be appropriately increased. Generally speaking, for flower spotting, the use concentration of 2,4-D is 10~20ppm, and the higher the trusses of flowers, the lower the concentration of the flower-dipping agent.
4. Timely fruit thinning
When deformed fruit is found on the plant, it must be removed promptly. This is especially true for the first truss of fruit in autumn delayed cultivation, because high temperatures early on make it very easy to form deformed fruit; the earlier they are removed, the better nutrient waste can be prevented. Also, the first truss should not retain too many fruit; generally, 2-3 normal fruit are enough.
The above is an introduction to the causes of deformed tomatoes and the solutions. I hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please keep following us.