Blossom end-rot (BER): An abiotic devastating disorder of tomato Srivastava Seweta, Singh Lokendra, Debnath Barnik, Shukla Manash, Kumar Shubham, Gaurav, Rana Meenakshi, Meshram Shweta* School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara-144411, Punjab, India *Corresponding author email id: shweta.26662@lpu.co.in
Abstract Vegetable production is challenged by a range of biotic and abiotic factors, often resulting in a substantial loss of the produce in each growing cycle. Unfortunately, abiotic stresses are becoming increasingly more prevalent especially in light of climate change. Like many cultivated plants, the tomato needs a variety of mineral elements to ensure its growth throughout its development cycle. When they are provided in excess or they are lacking, nutritional disorders occur. Blossom-end rot (BER) is a physiological disorder causing severe losses in tomato crops. Calcium deficiency is widely accepted as the main factor responsible for BER appearance in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruit due to water logged soil conditions, transpiration and abiotic stresses. However, reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can damage plant tissues, have also been proposed to initiate BER appearance in tomatoes and other fruitbearing vegetables. Ascorbate, the major antioxidant in tomato fruit, is generally lower during green fruit development, which corresponds to the stage of BER appearance. Tomato varieties with elongated fruit usually have a greater susceptibility to BER than other varieties. When the tomato grows the lesions get darker, becomes leathery and can cover half the fruits bottom. The present review article deals with all the aspects of blossom end rot (BER) of tomato including the causes, symptoms, epidemiology and management. Top Keywords Abiotic factors, Blossom end-rot, Disorder, Management, Symptoms, Tomato. Top |