By: Gerwen Lammers, PhD;
Casper van der Heijden, BSc;
Jan-Christian Schönberg and
Claudia Weick, BSc
Blossom End Rot (BER, neusrot) is a physical malformation of the fruit tips of greenhouse crops with serious economic consequences (Figure 1). Many factors may contribute to this growth disturbance, but an affected calcium homeostasis probably plays a major role, which may be caused by an improper nutritional potassium/calcium balance, insufficient water intake or evaporation and/or structurally weak roots and xylem vessels.
Intra Eco Shield contains the highest concentration of plant-available ortho-silicic acid that is incorporated in the plant and strengthens the tissues including the xylem vessels and improves the plants water and calcium management. Therefore, we performed a practical experimental study to assess the effect of Intra Eco Shield on the development of Blossom End Rot in tomatoes.
Practical set-up of the trial
The trial was designed to maximize the induction of Blossom End Rot by the selection of a BER-sensitive tomato breed and the use of a sub-optimal nutrition scheme.
In total four gutters with each 12 San Marzano, Dunne breed tomato plants were grown under LED light and were pollinated manually (Figure 2). All four gutters received suboptimal nutrition including a disturbed K:Ca ratio to stress the plants; plus 40 ppm Intra Hydro pure for 6 days per week (24/6) to keep the irrigation water clean. One day per week, gutter 2 and 4 received 500 ml/ha Intra Eco Shield, gutter 1 and 3 received identical irrigation water without Intra Eco Shield.
Figure 1: A disturbed calcium homeostasis can cause Blossom End Rot in tomatoes. Photo: MasteringHorticulture.com