A common problem for growers of summer or early winter tomatoes is blossom end rot. Not understanding it, farmers needlessly spray thousands of taka worth of fungicide. That does not solve the problem; instead, for lack of the right information, they suffer financial losses.

• A black spot appears on the bottom of the tomato.
• At first it is light green.
• As the tomato grows, the spot turns brown and black and shrinks.
• Finally, black rot appears inside the bottom of the fruit.

The disease makes tomatoes unfit to eat and can cause a 100 per cent loss.

• Apply calcium-rich materials such as burnt lime, dolomite or gypsum to the soil according to the agro-ecological zone (AEZ).
• Use enough organic manure.
• Test the soil and apply fertiliser in balanced doses.

• Always take preventive measures through biological control under integrated pest management.
• In an emergency, spray calcium chloride on the leaves.
• Avoid repeated or excessive use.
• Mixing Greencal at 5 to 6 grams per litre of water and spraying the plants also gives good results.

• Control the soil pH, for example by applying dolochun (dolomite lime) to the field.
• Use mulching to retain soil moisture.
• Reduce excessive top-dressing of DAP fertiliser.
• Use organic manure at the start of cultivation.
• Test the soil before growing crops.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.