Home and Landscape

Fruit Cracks on Tomatoes

Fruit may crack in a radial pattern or in concentric circles. Radial cracking, the more common of the two, occurs during rainy periods, when rains follow long dry periods. Fruit exposed to the sun may also develop cracks.

Solutions

Maintain a uniform water supply through the use of irrigation or mulches. A full leaf canopy will also help protect fruit from the sun and reduce cracking. There may be some resistant varieties in your area.

Ripe tomato with growth cracks around stem scar next to two normal tomatoes. Credit: Dennis R. Pittenger
Radial cracking (left) with healthy fruit. Credit: Dennis R. Pittenger
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