Tomato, Stitching

Tomato Stitching

Tomato stitching or zippering occurs when a thin, brown, necrotic scar that extends from the stem scar all the way to the blossom end appears on fruit. The longitudinal scar has small transverse scars along it, making it resemble a zipper or seam. Fruit can have one or several scars. This disorder does not affect the edibility of the fruit, but may render the fruit unmarketable.

Cause

Stitching/Zippering is caused by anthers (the pollen-producing flower part) that are attached to the ovary wall of a newly forming fruit. This disorder occurs more frequently in cool weather.

Management

  • Plant varieties that are less susceptible to stitching/zippering
  • Avoid low greenhouse temperatures

--Adapted by G. Higgins, from “Zippering”, J.W. Scott, Compendium of Tomato Diseases and Pests, 2nd ed., eds, J.B. Jones, T.A. Zitter, T.M. Momol, and S.A. Miller.

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