Zippering of Solanaceous Crops
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Zippering is characterized by the presence of brown tissue (resembling a zipper) running down the sides of tomatoes, often from the stem scar to blossom end. Zippering is the result of an anther remaining attached to newly forming fruit. It may also be associated with incomplete shedding of flower petals when fruit is forming. Little can be done to prevent zippering except selecting varieties that do not seem prone to zipper.
Zippering on tomato.
(Photo: UK Vegetable IPM Team)
