BER - Blossom End Rot
Type: Physiological Disorder
Blossom End Rot is a physiological disorder that affects tomatoes. As tomatoes begin to ripen, black spots on the bottom of the tomato appear. The tomatoes affected by blossom end rot should be picked and discarded. The cause is a calcium deficiency. The condition is not caused by a lack of calcium in the soil, but because the plant is unable to take up the calcium that is already in the soil because of drought or erratic watering. It is most common when the growing season starts out wet and then becomes very dry when tomatoes are setting. Plants are unable to absorb calcium because the soil is too wet or too dry, there is excessive nitrogen in the soil, roots are damage during cultivation, soil pH is either too high or too low, cold soil, and high levels of salts in the soil. Keep consistent levels of moisture in the soil throughout the growing season. Allow soil to warm before planting. Use mulch, such as Red Tomato Mulch, to minimize evaporation and to help maintain consistent moisture in the soil. Test soil so pH is at 6.5. Use Tomato Rot Stop to prevent calcium deficiency. The best option is to use disease resistant varieties.