Fruit cracking in tomato can be reduced by soil application of:-

Correct option is C

Fruit cracking is a common physiological disorder in tomatoes, where the fruit skin splits open. It usually happens due to irregular watering, heavy rainfall after a dry spell, or nutrient imbalances — especially boron deficiency.
Key Points:
· Boron (applied as Borax) plays a critical role in maintaining:
· Cell wall strength and elasticity.
· Proper water regulation in plant tissues.
· Soil application of Borax at a rate of 15–20 kg/ha significantly reduces fruit cracking by:
· Enhancing skin elasticity.
· Improving calcium and water balance within the fruit tissues.
· Without adequate boron:
· Fruits become brittle and prone to cracking.
· Yield and marketability of tomato crops drop.
Other Options Explained:
· (a) Sulphur – 30–40 kg/ha:
· Important for protein synthesis but not related to fruit cracking control.
· (b) Sodium Molybdate – 10–15 kg/ha:
· Molybdenum is essential for nitrogen metabolism, not for reducing fruit cracking.
· (d) Zinc sulphate – 20 kg/ha:
· Zinc is crucial for enzyme activation and hormone balance, but not directly involved in controlling fruit cracking.