Gold Fleck of Solanaceous Crops
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Gold fleck starts as scattered small green spots on ripening fruit and quickly turns a gold color. The cause is unknown but is likely related to genetics. In some instances damage from concentrated fertilizer sprays can resemble flecking, but the affected tissue is usually brown (necrotic) and not gold in color. Although primarily thought to be genetic, flecking can appear more pronounced under certain environmental conditions. A similar look can also appear when thrips feed on tomato fruit.
Gold fleck on tomato fruit.
(Photo: UK Vegetable IPM Team)
