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.
(Photo: Shubin Saha, University of Kentucky)
Management:
- Select varieties that do not seem prone to zipper