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Tomato Cracking: Is it Preventable?

Choose different varieties to prevent common problem, says K-State expert

July 14, 2022

By Taylor Jamison, K-State Research and Extension news service

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Often home gardeners face the problem of tomato cracking, or hard cracks on the upper part of the fruit, usually spanning from or around the stem.

While the cracks do not necessarily ruin the tomato, they are unsightly, said Kansas State University horticulture expert Ward Upham.

“Tomatoes have a root system that is very dense and fibrous, and is quite efficient in picking up water,” he said. “Unfortunately, the root system can become unbalanced with the top of the plant.”

Upham said cracking early in the season is likely related to the top growth of the tomato, which can then result in blossom-end rot when the weather turns hot and dry. Later in the season, cracking may be caused by a sudden abundance of water after a long dry spell.

How can cracking be prevented? Upham suggests consistent watering and mulching. Scheduled watering will prevent a quick influx of water likely to cause cracking. Additionally, mulching will help moderate moisture levels in the soil.

Some gardeners may be already following these recommendations and doing everything right, and still end up with tomato cracking. Upham and his colleagues in K-State’s Department of Horticulture evaluated different tomato varieties over several years to try and come up with the most crack-resistant tomato.

“The difference seems to be the pliability of the skin rather than thickness; the more pliable the skin, the more resistance to cracking,” Upham said. “The old variety Jet Star has been the most crack resistant of any we have tested, including the newer types.”

Unfortunately, Upham noted, Jet Star is a variety that can put out rampant, uncontrolled growth. Of the newer, more attractive varieties, Upham said the Mountain Spring, Mountain Pride, Mountain Fresh, Floralina, and Sun Leaper varieties had good resistance to cracking.

Upham publishes a weekly Horticulture Newsletter with tips for maintaining home landscapes. The newsletter is available to view online or can be delivered by email each week. 

Interested persons can also send their garden- and yard-related questions to Upham at wupham@ksu.edu, or contact your local K-State Research and Extension office.

At a glance

K-State horticulture expert Ward Upham says the common problem of tomatoes cracking can be solved by scheduling watering or choosing different varieties.

Website

K-State Horticulture Newsletter

Notable quote

“While the cracks do not necessarily ruin the tomato, they are unsightly.”

-- Ward Upham, horticulture expert, K-State Research and Extension

Source

Ward Upham
785-532-6173
wupham@ksu.edu

Written by

Taylor Jamison
mtjamison@ksu.edu

For more information

Tomatoes (publication)

Tomato Leaf and Fruit Diseases and Disorders

Kansas Garden Guide

 

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K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county extension offices, experiment fields, area extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan. For more information, visit www.ksre.ksu.edu. K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.