Catface Back to Table of Contents Catface is a condition involving malformation and scarring of fruits, particularly at blossom ends. Affected fruits are puckered with swollen protuberances and can have cavities extending deep into the flesh. The causes of catfacing are not definitely known, but it is generally agreed that any disturbance to flowers can lead to abnormally shaped fruits. Extreme heat, drought, low temperature, and contact with hormone-type herbicide sprays may be causes of flower injury. Other than keeping herbicides away from flowers, the only control for catface is planting less susceptible tomato varieties.
Tomatoes are very sensitive to injury from herbicide chemicals.
These chemicals are growth regulator, hormone-type weed control chemicals. Tomato plants usually come in contact with the chemical through spray drift or the use of a sprayer that once contained the herbicide. Contaminated plants show one or more of the following symptoms depending on the degree of exposure and age of plant at exposure. Plants exposed to small amounts of phenoxy herbicides will outgrow the symptoms without seriously reducing yield or fruit quality. Harvest might be delayed, however.