Green Heel

Green heel is a ripening disorder in which the part of the fruit around the stem remains green or yellowish and is sometimes harder, even though the rest of the tomato has reached its ripe color. This phenomenon is associated with a slower breakdown of chlorophyll in this part of the fruit and is exacerbated by high temperatures, intense sunlight, and varietal susceptibility. It can be mitigated by maintaining the fruit’s leaf cover and avoiding excessive defoliation. The discolored portion may remain firm even after harvest.