- Worldwide distribution. Tomato. Not a disease, a physiological disorder that occurs when water supplies or temperature change suddenly.
- There are two reasons for the disorder: (i) cracks start in dry weather, and then when water arrives fruits fill and burst; or (ii) water arrives, and the inside of the fruit grows faster than the skin. Usually, the splitting happens near harvest.
- Cultural control: ensure adequate nutrition, but not excessive amount of N; water plants regularly during dry times; apply a thick mulch to keep soil moist; harvest early and ripen in warm, dark place; test different varieties – those bred in recent years show greater resistance.
