How to prevent other physical disorders in tomatoes

Preventing puffiness (hollowness or boxiness)

Tomato puffiness is slab-sided fruit with hollow gaps between the outer wall and locules and a reduced number of seeds. It is caused by extreme environmental conditions such as high or low temperature. An imbalance in the feed solution e.g. a low EC, low potassium or excessive nitrogen can lead to puffiness in tomatoes.

Preventing catfacing

Catfacing in tomato is misshapen fruit due to abnormal development, this normally occurs under cold conditions at flowering and fruit set.

Greenback

Greenback in tomatoes are green or yellow shoulders with white internal tissue as a result of a disrupted, or abnormal maturation process (not a delayed maturation). Direct exposure to sunlight (especially in greenhouse), excess of salinity, as well as a lack of potassium can all influence this disorder.

Sunscald (solar injury)

Sunscald in tomatoes are spots that turn yellow or white and become sunken, thinwalled and papery in appearance, as a result of direct exposure to sunlight. Balanced nutrition, especially of nitrogen and potassium, will ensure good leaf canopy, reducing tomato fruit exposure to direct sunlight.

Bacterial wilt and southern blight (sclerotium rolfsii)

Calcium influences resistance to bacterial wilt and southern blight in tomato. The more readily soluble earlier application of calcium nitrate was more effective than calcium sulfate (gypsum).