Scouting Guides for Problems of Vegetables
Scouting Guides for Problems of Vegetables

Zippering

Zippering

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Zippering is characterized by the presence of brown tissue (resembling a zipper) running down the sides of tomato fruit, often from the stem to blossom end. Zippering is the result of a flower anther remaining attached to newly forming fruit. It may be associated with incomplete shedding of lower petals when fruit is forming.

Zipper scar on green tomato fruit.

Zipper scar on green tomato fruit.

(Photo: Shubin Saha, University of Kentucky)

    

Management:

  • Select varieties that do not seem prone to zipper
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201F Plant Science Building 1405 Veterans Drive Lexington, KY 40546-0312