Fruit Cracking
Plant disorder
Description
Fruit cracking is a physiological disorder in which the skin of a developing or ripening fruit splits as the flesh expands faster than the skin can stretch. It is common in tomatoes, especially near the stem, but also occurs in cherries, grapes and other fruits. Splits may run outward from the stem or form rings around it; their pattern varies by crop. A sudden supply of water after a dry period is a frequent trigger, whether it comes from heavy rain or irregular irrigation. Ripening fruit may be particularly vulnerable as its skin becomes less flexible. Variety, temperature and growing conditions also affect susceptibility. The cracking itself is not an infection, but an open split exposes the flesh to insects and decay organisms. Damage can range from a shallow cosmetic mark to a deep opening that makes the fruit unsuitable to eat or store.
Symptoms
- Cracked or split fruit
How to Identify
Look for a split in the fruit skin, often with exposed flesh or a healed, corky edge. On tomatoes, cracks commonly radiate from the stem or circle it. Several fruits cracking soon after heavy rain or a change in watering supports the diagnosis. Unlike blossom-end rot, cracking does not begin as a dark, sunken patch at the flower end. Sunscald produces a pale, bleached patch rather than an open split. Insect damage usually has a feeding hole or entry point, while fungal decay starts with soft or discolored tissue. Rot may develop later inside a crack, so check damaged fruit closely.
Prevention
Keep soil moisture as even as possible, especially while fruit is enlarging and ripening. Water deeply when needed rather than alternating prolonged dryness with heavy watering, and use mulch to slow evaporation. Ensure the soil drains well; consistently wet roots can cause other problems even when fruit is cracking. Where heavy rain is predictable, harvest fruit that is mature enough to ripen off the plant, if the crop allows it. Choose crack-resistant varieties when available. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer, which can encourage rapid, soft growth, and follow soil-test guidance rather than adding nutrients routinely. Inspect ripening fruit frequently so it does not remain on the plant longer than necessary. In protected growing spaces, aim for steady watering and avoid abrupt swings in temperature.
Treatment
A cracked fruit cannot be made whole again. Start by harvesting affected fruit promptly and checking whether the split is clean or has begun to decay. A freshly cracked fruit with a shallow split may be used soon after washing and trimming away the damaged area, provided the remaining flesh is sound. Do not store it with undamaged fruit. Discard fruit that is moldy, soft, oozing, foul-smelling or deeply split; be especially cautious if exposed flesh has touched soil. Remove fallen, rotting fruit to reduce insects and disease pressure. Then correct the conditions that contributed to cracking: restore a regular watering schedule, mulch exposed soil and check drainage. Pick other ripe fruit before forecast heavy rain where practical. Fungicides and insecticides do not repair cracks and are not needed for cracking alone; address a separately identified pest or disease only if it appears.
Plants Affected
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