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White blisters on tomato fruits can be caused by several factors, including sunburn and insect damage. White blisters can show up on the surface of tomato fruits that have been damaged by insects like whiteflies.
If the white blisters are caused by sunscald or insect damage, the fruits are still edible but may have a slightly bitter taste.
Sunscald is what happens to plants when they get too much direct sunlight. This is what happens to tomatoes. It happens when the sun’s rays are too intense for the plant, and the heat causes the plant tissue to become damaged.
In this article, I will explain the white blisters on tomato plants, sunscald tomatoes, and their prevention.
Let’s have a look!
Symptoms of Sunscald or Tomato Blisters
The symptoms of sunscald in tomato plants leaves appear on the fruits; the leaves and stems may also be affected.
Here are some common sunburned tomatoes symptoms:
- White or yellowish spots or patches: The affected areas on the fruit may be lighter in color than the surrounding areas.
- Dry or papery skin: The skin of the fruit may feel dry, papery, or leathery to the touch.
- Cracks or fissures: In severe cases, the skin of the fruit may crack or split, exposing the flesh beneath.
- Reduced quality: The fruit may be less appealing or marketable due to the appearance of the sunscald, and its quality may be affected.
- Wilting or discoloration: In some cases, sunscald may cause the leaves or stems of the plant to wilt or turn brown.
It’s important to note that sunscald doesn’t affect the safety or edibility of the tomato fruit, although it can reduce its quality. Sunscald usually happens to tomatoes and makes the skin of the fruit have white or yellow spots or patches.
To prevent sunscald, it’s essential to provide adequate shade to the tomato plants, either by planting them in a partially shaded area or by providing some form of shade cloth or other covering.
Related Reading:
- Will Tomato Plants Regrow Every Year?
- Why Tomato Leaves are Beneficial for Your Garden? (5 Solid Reasons)
What Causes White Blisters on Tomatoes?
White blisters on tomatoes can be caused by several factors, including:
- Sunscald: Exposure to direct sunlight for an extended period, especially during hot weather, can cause the skin of tomato fruits to blister and turn white.
- Insect damage: Some insects, such as whiteflies, can cause damage to tomato fruits, resulting in white blisters on the surface.
- Disease: Some diseases, such as powdery mildew or fungal infections, can cause white blisters on tomato fruits.
- Pesticide or herbicide exposure: Exposure to certain chemicals can cause white blisters on tomato fruits.
However, if the blisters are caused by disease or chemical exposure, the fruits may not be safe to eat. It’s best to discard any fruits that appear damaged or discolored and harvest healthy-looking ones instead.
How to Identify White Blisters on Tomatoes?
White blisters on tomatoes are typically easy to identify, as they appear as raised, white or yellowish patches or bumps on the skin of the fruit.
Here are some steps you can take to identify white blisters on tomatoes:
1. Check the Surface Of The Tomato Fruit
Look for any raised white or yellowish patches or bumps on the skin of the fruit. These may be small or large, and they may be scattered across the surface of the fruit.
2. Check For Other Signs Of Damage
In addition to white blisters, the fruit may have other signs of damage or discoloration, such as cracks, spots, or blemishes.
3. Consider The Growing Conditions
White blisters on tomatoes can be caused by various factors, including sunscald, insect damage, disease, or chemical exposure.
Consider the growing conditions of the plant, such as the amount of sunlight it receives, whether it has been exposed to chemicals or pesticides, and whether there are any signs of insect damage or disease.
If you’re unsure about the cause of the blisters, you can consult with a local gardening expert or agricultural extension agent for prevention.
Prevention of White Blisters on Tomatoes
Prevention is always better than cure. White blisters on tomatoes are often caused by sunscald, a condition in which the tomato fruit gets too much direct sunlight and becomes damaged.
Here are some ways to prevent white blisters on tomatoes:
5 Ways To Protect Tomatoes From Sunscald
1. Provide Shade
Providing some shade for the plants is one of the best ways to prevent sunscald on tomatoes. You can do this by growing tomatoes in a location that receives partial shade or by using netting, shade cloth, or other types of coverings to provide some protection from the sun.
2. Mulching
Mulch helps to retain moisture in the soil and keeps the roots of the tomato plants cool. This can help to prevent the fruit from getting too hot and developing sunscald.
Reflective mulch can help to keep the sun off the fruit and prevent sunscald. You can purchase reflective mulch online or at a garden supply store.
3. Water Regularly
Regular watering helps keep the soil moist and prevents the fruit from becoming dehydrated. Make sure to water deeply and evenly to ensure that the roots are getting enough water.
4. Proper Pruning
Pruning can help reduce the amount of direct sunlight that reaches the fruit. It saves the energy of the tomato plant. Prune the plants to remove any excess foliage or branches that are shading the fruit.
5. Rotate tomato plants
Don’t plant tomatoes in the same spot year after year, because this can make sunscald and other diseases more likely. Instead, rotate tomato plants with other types of vegetables to help keep the soil healthy and prevent disease buildup.
By following these ways, you can easily prevent your tomatoes from getting sunscald and keep your plants healthy and productive.
Treating sunscald on tomato plants, leaves and fruits
Sunscald is a common problem with tomato leaves that happens when the plants are in direct sunlight for a long time. Pale, bleached, or white patches on fruit and yellow or brown patches on leaves are symptoms of tomato sunscald.
Sunburned tomatoes are conditions that can affect tomato plants, and they are often used interchangeably.
Sunburn on tomatoes is a result of too much exposure to the sun, which causes the fruit to turn yellowish or brownish in color and the skin to become tough or leathery. Tomato plant sunburn can also cause the fruit to crack, which makes it more susceptible to pests and disease.
Sunscald on tomatoes is also caused by too much sun exposure, but it affects the plant itself rather than just the fruit.
Sunscalding tomato leaves occurs when the plant’s leaves are not providing enough shade to the fruit, and the fruit is exposed to direct sunlight.
This can cause the fruit to develop a white or yellowish patch on its skin, which can then turn into a brown, leathery area.
To prevent tomato leaves from becoming sunscald, it’s important to provide the plants with adequate shade and to keep them well-watered during hot, sunny weather. You can also use shade cloth or other types of covering to protect the plants from too much sun exposure.
Read More:
- Unveiling the Tomato Calories: How Many Calories Are in a Tomato?
- Tomato Powder: Preserving the Essence of Fresh Tomatoes for Longer
- When to Feed Tomato Plants: A Comprehensive Guide
Conclusion
Sunscald tomatoes White blisters on tomato fruit are a common problem that can cause damage to the fruit. Sunscald occurs when the tomato fruit gets too much direct sunlight.
Some good ways to stop this are to provide shade, use mulch, water regularly, use mulch that reflects light, prune tomato plants, and switch crops. Once white blisters have formed on tomato fruit, there is no way to cure the affected fruit.
By following these methods, your tomato plant will give you a huge harvest.
Thanks for reading!
