Causes of Fruit Cracking in Greenhouse Tomatoes and Preventive Measures

Tomatoes are both a vegetable and a fruit, rich in nutrients and delightfully flavorful. However, many fruit growers report that cracking—either sporadic or widespread—is a common issue during cultivation. Tomato cracking is a widespread problem, particularly prevalent in greenhouse production, and it can severely compromise yield and quality, thereby reducing economic returns.

How to Prevent and Control Frost Damage in Tomatoes

In winter, cold waves occur frequently, and if greenhouse vegetable management lags behind, frost damage can easily set in. At best, crop growth stalls; at worst, quality and yield suffer significantly. So, what are the symptoms of frost injury in tomatoes? And how can we prevent and control it? Let’s take a look! What Are the Symptoms of Tomato Frost Injury? As winter gradually turns colder, tomatoes grown in winter‑crop and winter–spring‑crop greenhouses or polytunnels often endure low temperatures and cold snaps, leading to physiological frost damage. In mild cases, this delays the growth period and reduces yield; in severe cases, it can destroy seedlings, necessitating replanting. After exposure to cold and frost, tomato seedlings exhibit the following symptoms: the margins of the cotyledons lose their green color, the leaves curl upward, and the frost‑damaged areas gradually turn yellow.

How should tomatoes be fertilized in a greenhouse?

Tomatoes are one of the most commonly consumed vegetables. In their cultivation and management, both excessive and insufficient fertilization—resulting in imbalances or deficiencies among essential nutrients—can directly lead to poor plant development, premature senescence, and inadequate flower bud differentiation. This, in turn, increases the incidence of physiological disorders such as fruit cracking and green‑skinned fruits, ultimately compromising both tomato quality and yield. The optimal N:P₂O₅:K₂O ratio for tomatoes is 1:0.2:1.7. Tomatoes thrive in fertile soils; before fruit set, they have a high demand for nitrogen, whereas after fruit set, their nitrogen requirement drops sharply while their need for potassium rises markedly. Based on these physiological characteristics, fertilizer application should be carefully tailored to each stage of growth and development.