Analysis of the Causes of Rotten Fruit in Tomatoes and Control Methods

Tomatoes are very unique, as they can be eaten both as a vegetable and as a fruit. Quite a few people grow tomatoes, but many problems often arise during the growing process. Rotten fruit is one of them. Especially in autumn, rotten fruit can seriously affect tomato yields, and if not dealt with in time, it can even cause a total crop failure. In fact, rotten fruit in tomatoes is caused by diseases, so how should they be controlled? Let's take a look below!

1. Cottony leak

Disease characteristics: Cottony leak mainly harms the growth of young fruit. After the fruit is infected, very obvious brown patches appear at the top of the fruit, occasionally accompanied by white mold spots. They then gradually expand and spread, and the patches slowly grow larger while the color becomes deeper, damaging the flesh, and in the later stage the entire fruit rots.

Control methods: When diseased fruit appears, promptly remove all diseased fruit and dispose of it far away from the growing area. Pay attention to the growth condition of the plants and improve ventilation within the growing area. Disinfect the orchard thoroughly. Spraying with chemicals such as chlorothalonil once a week for one month is sufficient.

2. Soft rot

Disease characteristics: Soft rot mainly occurs on fruit that has not yet ripened and is still green. After the fruit is infected, the surface cannot be detected without careful observation. However, the flesh rots rapidly and is accompanied by an unpleasant odor. Fruit drop increases, and after the water is completely lost, the fruit turns white.

Control methods: Promptly prune and remove side shoots from the plants, but this must not be done in cloudy or rainy weather or after rain. Pay attention to preventing and controlling insect pests, because the small holes left after insects bore into the fruit give pathogens an opportunity to invade. After disease occurs, chemicals such as dexon can be used for control.

3. Anthracnose

Disease characteristics: Anthracnose also mainly invades young fruit. After young fruit is infected, colorless water-soaked lesions appear. The lesions gradually expand, and pressing the expanded lesions gently with the hand gives a sunken feeling. Later, small black spots appear on the lesions, and then the entire fruit rots and drops.

Control methods: Harvest immediately after the fruit ripens, and promptly remove diseased fruit to prevent transmission. Do a good job of disinfecting the orchard. After disease occurs, chemicals such as chlorothalonil or carbendazim can be used for control. Depending on the growth rate of the plants and the condition of the soil, appropriate intertillage and hilling can be carried out.

4. Fruit rot

Disease characteristics: Fruit rot is mainly caused by Fusarium. Fruit rot harms fruit that has already ripened and can be harvested. The color of the lesions on the fruit gradually darkens and then gradually expands, finally covering the entire fruit. The disease is severe when humidity is too high, causing the fruit to rot.

Control methods: The control methods are similar to the three above. Promptly remove diseased fruit and keep it away from areas with various vegetables and fruit crops, then dispose of it in a centralized way. Ripe fruit should be harvested in a timely manner and must not be allowed to touch the ground. After disease occurs, chemicals such as thiophanate-methyl suspension concentrate can be sprayed for control.

The four diseases above are the causes of rotten fruit in tomatoes. Although they are all cases of rotten fruit caused by diseases, it is also because we have not managed things properly in our daily care that pathogens have had the opportunity to invade. They harm the fruit and cause rotting. Therefore, we must do a good job in the daily management of the growing area so that we can better reduce the probability of rotten fruit, increase yields, and improve economic returns.