As tomatoes progress into their flowering and fruiting stage, it's common to experience blossom and fruit drop, which can significantly impact both yield and quality. Understanding why this happens and how to prevent it is essential for successful tomato cultivation. Let's explore the causes and effective prevention methods below.
First, let's examine the main reasons behind tomato flower and fruit drop. (1) Cold weather and rain: The ideal temperature for tomato flowering is between 25°C and 28°C. When temperatures fall below 15°C, pollen germination becomes poor, and below 10°C, fertilization is severely affected. This leads to a lack of growth hormones, causing flowers to drop. Additionally, prolonged cold and rainy conditions during flowering can reduce sunlight, limiting photosynthesis. This results in poor flower development and increased blossom drop. High humidity caused by rain can also cause pollen to swell and burst, reducing pollination ability and leading to flower loss. (2) High temperature and drought: Tomato plants are highly sensitive to moisture during the fruiting stage. If the soil becomes too dry or there are rapid fluctuations in water availability, the plant may struggle to maintain proper growth. Dry conditions can cause pollen to lose moisture and become infertile, resulting in flower and fruit drop. In hot summer months, when temperatures reach 30°C to 40°C or higher, high heat can damage pollen, cause flowers to shrink, and lead to premature falling. (3) Nutrient deficiency: During the flowering and fruiting phase, tomatoes require a significant amount of nutrients for proper development. A lack of essential nutrients can result in blossom and fruit drop. Poor nutrition can also affect the development of reproductive organs, such as small pollen or uneven styles, making pollination difficult and leading to flower loss.
Second, here are some effective measures to prevent tomato flower and fruit drop. To minimize losses, it's important to focus on proper planting, strong seedling development, reasonable spacing, scientific fertilization, and strengthening the plant’s resistance to stress. (1) Optimize temperature and humidity during flowering and fruiting. In spring, protect against low temperatures; in summer and autumn, manage high temperatures and drought. Ensure timely irrigation and drainage, keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and use misting during hot periods to protect blossoms and developing fruits. (2) Ensure adequate nutrient supply. Apply foliar sprays with fertilizers like potassium dihydrogen phosphate at concentrations of 0.2% to 0.3%. If signs of nutrient deficiency appear, use quick-acting fertilizers promptly. (3) Use chemical regulators effectively. The most commonly used agents include Tomato Spirit and 2.4-D. Tomato Spirit should be applied at 20–40 mg/kg, typically 25–30 mg/kg for flower spraying or dipping, 30–35 mg/kg for pedicels, and 35–40 mg/kg in cold spring conditions. For heat protection, use 25 mg/kg. For 2.4-D, apply at 10–20 mg/kg, adjusting the concentration based on temperature—lower in hot seasons and slightly higher in cooler ones, while being cautious to avoid damage.
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