Preventing tomato gold spot (speck)

Tomato Gold Spot (Speck) are small spots on the shoulder of the fruit, giving them a dull appearance and decreasing tomato shelf life. High humidity and direct sunlight on the fruit will further encourage gold spot.

Crop Nutrition and Tomato Gold Spot (Speck)

Tomato gold spot is caused by calcium oxalate deposition under the skin and becomes worse in high humidity environments. This disorder induces a dull aspect to the fruit and weakens the peel – shortening tomato shelf life.

Providing a balanced nutritional program, especially between potassium and calcium will minimize the occurrence of this disorder. Use of nitrates instead of chloride-based fertilizers will reduce the risk of tomato gold spot.