Disease on crop
physiologicalBlossom End Rot on winter squash
Calcium deficiency physiological disorder
Not a true disease but a calcium-uptake disorder caused by inconsistent soil moisture during fruit development. The dominant cause of damaged first-fruit on home tomato plantings.
- Disease
- Blossom End Rot
- Pathogen type
- Physiological
- Crop
- Winter Squash
- Scientific name
- Calcium deficiency physiological disorder
Blossom End Rot on winter squash
Detailed guidance for this section is being prepared. Check back soon.
Symptoms on winter squash
- ▸ Sunken brown to black leathery patch on the blossom end of fruit (opposite the stem)
- ▸ Affected fruit eventually rots
- ▸ First few fruits of the season most often affected; later fruits typically fine
- ▸ Often more severe after a stretch of dry weather followed by heavy watering
IPM controls
- ✓ Maintain consistent soil moisture with mulch and regular irrigation (the most effective control)
- ✓ Test soil pH; supplemental calcium rarely helps because the issue is uptake, not supply
- ✓ Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer which encourages rapid growth that outpaces calcium uptake
- ✓ Keep plants evenly watered (drip irrigation on a timer is ideal)
- ✓ Pick affected fruit and continue: later fruits will be normal once moisture is consistent
Other crops affected by blossom end rot
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