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Fruit Cracking: also known as splitting, can cause loss of marketable yield, especially in muskmelons. The most obvious sign of this disorder is a fractured rind often near the end closest to the vine, but can also occur on the blossom end or sides. The cracks can be so severe that the inner flesh of the melon is visible. Multiple factors can cause cracking, including cultivar, ripening stage, irrigation or rain events, excessive nitrogen, inadequate potassium, and solar radiation. Melon cultivars with thin rinds are more susceptible to cracking as are cultuvars with more deep sutures. Allowing the soil to dry completely before a major irrigation or rain event may also cause cracking as well as allowing melons to over-ripen in the field. 

Blossom end rot on watermelon fruit.

(Photo: USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series, Clemson University, Bugwood.org)

Management:

• Select cultivars less prone to cracking.
• Provide consistent and proper irrigation throughout the development of the fruit.
• Harvest fruit as soon as possible.

• Do not over-fertilize with nitrogen.

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