ISHS Acta Horticulturae 695: I International Symposium on Tomato Diseases
BLOSSOM END ROT OCCURRENCE IN CALCAREOUS SOIL OF KUWAIT |
| Authors: | M. Abdal, M. Suleiman |
| Keywords: | tomato, blossom end rot, calcareous soil, salinity, nutrients, irrigation |
| Abstract:
Tomato production in Kuwait is about 25,843.8 ton out of a total greenhouse production of 67,649.6 ton in 2002. It is the main crop produced in Kuwait in ten months of the year. Tomatoes are grown primarily in greenhouses particularly during the hot season though some are grown outdoors. The appearance of blossom end rot as round spots on the blossom end is very common in most farms in Kuwait. Although most of the soils in the farms are high in calcium content (calcareous soils), over 25% of the tomato production in Kuwait is affected by blossom end rot. Initial symptoms of the disease appear as water-soaked indented stains or brown spots which become black rapidly as disease progresses. The spots will become rugged and rot develops within the surface of tomato fruits. Various factors may contribute to the development of tomato blossom end rot in Kuwait, while the main causative reason is the lack of calcium nutrient in the tomato fruit. Irregular fluctuation of irrigation water through the soil particularly in the summer is also a factor increasing blossom end rot incidence in Kuwait. Salinity of both the soil and irrigation water can affect nutrient availability especially calcium. High amounts of certain cations in the soil, such as potassium and sodium, can stimulate the development of blossom end rot in tomato. Excess use of nitrogen in Kuwait for tomato production can also increase blossom end rot. This paper will discuss the problem of blossom end rot in the arid region of Kuwait and management of this physiological disease with different approaches in tomato production. | |
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