Fruit cracking is characterized by
rupturing of the outer protective fruit
tissues (rind), rendering the fruit nonmarketable
(Matas et al., 2004). This
disorder is usually associated with rapid
absorption of large amounts of water,
and the consequential development
of abnormally higher turgor pressures
than the rind can withstand, resulting
in rind rupture. Even if fruit rupture
does not ensue, excessive water intake
can dilute solutes, reduce quality, and
delay harvest maturity.