Cracking of Tomatoes
Too much heat causes stress on tomato plants, resulting
in the fruit cracking before ripening. Whitish or bleached areas may appear
on the skins, which eventually start to rot. To prevent sunburn of tomatoes,
avoid thinning too many plant shoots as the plants are growing, allowing
for sufficient foliage to shade the fruit. If a large number of tomatoes
are burning, cover plants with a row cover, a shade cloth or any material
to decrease the sun’s intensity.
Cracking is associated with irregular watering in addition to sun exposure. Mulch around plants to keep soil cool, conserve water and reduce plant stress. Avoid applying too much fertilizer since excess nitrogen applied to developing fruit contributes to cracking.