Blossom end-rot (BER): An abiotic devastating disorder of tomato

Abstract

Blossom end-rot (BER) of tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruit is an abiotic disorder that develops a brown or yellow coloured water-soaked lesion that starts at the end of the fruit where the blossom was once produced. It is also called as “calcium related disorder” because under stress conditions like water logged soil conditions, transpiration and abiotic stresses, it reduce the translocation of calcium to the fruit tip. However, reactive oxygen species (ROS), responsible for the plant tissues damage also initiate BER appearance in tomatoes and in some other fruit-producing vegetables. Ascorbate which is the prime source of antioxidant in tomato fruits shows depleted level while green fruit development, which corresponds to the blossom end-rot (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.This review article deals with all the aspects of blossom end rot (BER) of tomato including the causes, symptoms, epidemiology and management.