Tomato hollow fruit, a physiological disorder, occurs when the tomato skin develops rapidly while the placenta fails to keep pace, resulting in empty spaces within the fruit. Compared to normal tomatoes, hollow fruits are lighter, less flavorful, and have poor marketability, severely affecting crop yield. So, how can we effectively prevent and treat tomato hollow fruit? Let's find out:
Causes of Tomato Hollow Fruit
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Varietal Factors: Early-maturing varieties with fewer locules are more prone to hollow fruit.
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Low Temperature and Low Light: Inadequate light and low temperatures in greenhouses can lead to poor flower bud differentiation and pollination, resulting in underdeveloped placental tissue and hollow fruit.
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Improper Water and Nutrient Management: Insufficient water and nutrients during the fruiting and late growth stages, excessive nitrogen, and inadequate potassium and micronutrients can lead to hollow fruit formation.
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Improper Hormone Application: Improper concentrations of hormones like 2,4-D or premature flower dipping can accelerate the growth of fruit flesh faster than placental and seed development, leading to hollow fruit formation.
Prevention and Treatment Methods for Tomato Hollow Fruit
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Varied Variety Selection: Choose varieties with more locules that are less prone to hollow fruit, such as Big Red No. 1, Giant Pearl, and Porsche 913.
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Temperature and Light Regulation: Manage temperature and light in greenhouses, maintaining daytime temperatures between 25-28°C and nighttime temperatures between 13-15°C. Supplemental lighting can be used during low light periods, and reflective films can be placed on walls and between rows to increase light intensity.
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Water and Nutrient Management: Use balanced fertilization techniques, increase organic fertilizer application, and ensure proper nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium ratios to avoid overuse of nitrogen. Adjust watering schedules and amounts based on growth stages and soil moisture to maintain adequate moisture levels.
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Proper Hormone Application: Apply flower dipping solutions with appropriate concentrations of hormones based on temperature conditions. Typically, 10-20 mg/kg of 2,4-D solution or 25-40 mg/kg of chlorpheniramine for flower dipping, or spray with 15-20 mg/kg of gibberellin to prevent premature fruit drop.
In conclusion, hollow fruit, characterized by external enlargement and internal hollowness, is a common issue in greenhouse tomato production. Without proper intervention, both the quality and yield of tomatoes can be severely affected. Understanding the underlying causes and implementing appropriate measures are essential to address this problem effectively.
