High Tunnels as a Unique Theatre for Investigating the Complex Causes of Yellow Shoulder Disorder in Tomatoes

Yellow shoulder disorder (YSD) is characterized by discolored regions beneath the fruit’s epidermis, impacting the ripening process and rendering tomatoes unsuitable for marketing. YSD poses a significant challenge in high-tunnel (HT) tomato production, a system that has gained prominence for its ab...

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Main Authors: Sapana Pandey, Christopher J. Matocha, Hanna Poffenbarger, Krista Jacobsen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Horticulturae
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/7/773
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author Sapana Pandey
Christopher J. Matocha
Hanna Poffenbarger
Krista Jacobsen
author_facet Sapana Pandey
Christopher J. Matocha
Hanna Poffenbarger
Krista Jacobsen
author_sort Sapana Pandey
collection DOAJ
description Yellow shoulder disorder (YSD) is characterized by discolored regions beneath the fruit’s epidermis, impacting the ripening process and rendering tomatoes unsuitable for marketing. YSD poses a significant challenge in high-tunnel (HT) tomato production, a system that has gained prominence for its ability to extend growing seasons and enhance crop quality. This review delves into the various factors influencing YSD occurrence, including soil nutritional status, weather, plant variety, and the interactions between these factors, contributing to the occurrence of YSD in HT microclimate. The severity of YSD symptoms, ranging from minor to significant discoloration, highlights the complexity of this disorder. This review highlights research gaps on the effects of temperature, relative humidity, nutrient imbalance, soil water management, clay minerals, and how their interactions influence YSD in HT microclimates, emphasizing the need for comprehensive studies to understand the complex relationships between soil health, nutrient management, and tomato quality in HT microclimates and the need for further research to sustain high-quality tomato production in HTs.
format Article
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issn 2311-7524
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publishDate 2025-07-01
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series Horticulturae
spelling doaj-art-8bddaccf854c4e7086ee9ba9e36ccf472025-08-20T03:08:12ZengMDPI AGHorticulturae2311-75242025-07-0111777310.3390/horticulturae11070773High Tunnels as a Unique Theatre for Investigating the Complex Causes of Yellow Shoulder Disorder in TomatoesSapana Pandey0Christopher J. Matocha1Hanna Poffenbarger2Krista Jacobsen3Department of Horticulture, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USADepartment of Plant and Soil Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USADepartment of Plant and Soil Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USADepartment of Horticulture, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USAYellow shoulder disorder (YSD) is characterized by discolored regions beneath the fruit’s epidermis, impacting the ripening process and rendering tomatoes unsuitable for marketing. YSD poses a significant challenge in high-tunnel (HT) tomato production, a system that has gained prominence for its ability to extend growing seasons and enhance crop quality. This review delves into the various factors influencing YSD occurrence, including soil nutritional status, weather, plant variety, and the interactions between these factors, contributing to the occurrence of YSD in HT microclimate. The severity of YSD symptoms, ranging from minor to significant discoloration, highlights the complexity of this disorder. This review highlights research gaps on the effects of temperature, relative humidity, nutrient imbalance, soil water management, clay minerals, and how their interactions influence YSD in HT microclimates, emphasizing the need for comprehensive studies to understand the complex relationships between soil health, nutrient management, and tomato quality in HT microclimates and the need for further research to sustain high-quality tomato production in HTs.https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/7/773tomato qualityripening disorderprotected agricultureplant–soil–microclimate interactions
spellingShingle Sapana Pandey
Christopher J. Matocha
Hanna Poffenbarger
Krista Jacobsen
High Tunnels as a Unique Theatre for Investigating the Complex Causes of Yellow Shoulder Disorder in Tomatoes
Horticulturae
tomato quality
ripening disorder
protected agriculture
plant–soil–microclimate interactions
title High Tunnels as a Unique Theatre for Investigating the Complex Causes of Yellow Shoulder Disorder in Tomatoes
title_full High Tunnels as a Unique Theatre for Investigating the Complex Causes of Yellow Shoulder Disorder in Tomatoes
title_fullStr High Tunnels as a Unique Theatre for Investigating the Complex Causes of Yellow Shoulder Disorder in Tomatoes
title_full_unstemmed High Tunnels as a Unique Theatre for Investigating the Complex Causes of Yellow Shoulder Disorder in Tomatoes
title_short High Tunnels as a Unique Theatre for Investigating the Complex Causes of Yellow Shoulder Disorder in Tomatoes
title_sort high tunnels as a unique theatre for investigating the complex causes of yellow shoulder disorder in tomatoes
topic tomato quality
ripening disorder
protected agriculture
plant–soil–microclimate interactions
url https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/7/773
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