Glossary
Anthracnose: Fungus that causes fruit rot. Circular sunken spots on skin that will get a dark
center (common on tomato)
Blemish: A mark, scar, or defect that detracts from the appearance of the vegetable.
Blight: A fungus that can affect the leaves and fruit of the plant. The fruit will have sunken soft
areas that turn black. Infected leaves will get dark spots and then the leaves will turn yellow and dry up.
Blossom end rot: Occurs when there is a wide rise and fall in moisture
levels. The blossom end of the fruit will turn soft and begin to rot before it is fully mature. Can affect tomatoes, squash, and sometimes other garden vegetables. Downloaded under a Creative Commons License
Catfaced: Bands of tough scar tissue on tomatoes. It is caused by cold
weather at the time of blossom and fruit set.
M.E. Bartolo, Bugwood.org
Fault: See blemish
Green skin (Potatoes): When the potato is exposed to light while developing. To prevent,
hill soil around potato plants.
Green shoulders (Tomato): This happens when the developing tomato is exposed to high
temperatures while maturing.
Growth Cracks: Occur when the fruit grows rapidly and there is a wide rise and fall in moisture
availability.
Mechanical damage: Damage caused to the produce by a person or object.
Mildew: White or gray splotches on the leaves/stem of the plant. Is not
normally fatal, but stresses the plant. Plenty of space between plants, not watering from above the plant, and buying resistant varieties can all help reduce mildew. Downloaded under a creative commons license
Pesticide: Chemical used to kill pests. Normally insects.
Scab (potato): Disease that causes rough lesions on potatoes. Crop
rotation, adequate watering, planting resistant varieties and keeping soil pH around 5.2 can help reduce the occurrence of scab.
Clemson University - USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series, Bugwood.org
Scurf: Superficial brown to black spots that appear on the skin of sweet potatoes. It is only on
the skin so does not detract from the eating quality.
Sunscald: When young fruit is exposed to the sun and is common in
tomatoes and peppers. Heavy pruning or disease of the foliage can be
the problem. Leaves of the plant help protect developing fruit from sunscald. Howard F. Schwartz, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org
Uniform: Matching or consistent.