Abstract
Three processing and six fresh market tomato varieties were evaluated for yield and related traits. The tomato varieties harvested at "mature green” stage were evaluated for changes in physical quality characteristics during the storage period of 32 days under ambient conditions. Both field and storage studies were undertaken using randomized complete block design with three replications. Physical properties including average fruit weight, fruit volume, specific gravity, juice content and weight loss were assessed during the storage period. The storage room air temperature and relative humidity varied from 15.4 to 16.2°C and 34.8 to 52.4%, respectively. Tomato varieties had significant (P ≤ 0.001) effects on yield and quality. Fresh market tomato variety Fetane was the highest yielder. Marglobe Improved had the highest physical quality characteristics while Fetane showed the lowest values. The highest weight loss was obtained in Metadel compared with all other varieties throughout the storage period. Melkashola had the highest physical quality characteristics than the other two processing varieties while weight loss was almost similar with Roma VF during most of the storage periods. Fresh market tomato fruits had superior physical quality characteristics such as higher fruit weight, volume, specific gravity and juice content than processing fruit varieties. Weight loss was the lowest for processing tomatoes during storage which is an indicator of better shelf life. Key words: Tomato, pre-harvest, postharvest, yield, quality, variety.
Highlights
Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) belongs to the family Solanaceae
The tomato varieties harvested at "mature green” stage were evaluated for changes in physical quality characteristics during the storage period of 32 days under ambient conditions
Physical properties including average fruit weight, fruit volume, specific gravity, juice content and weight loss were assessed during the storage period
Summary
Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) belongs to the family Solanaceae. It is one of the worlds major vegetables with a total area and production of 4.4 million ha and 115 million metric tones, respectively (FAO, 2004). The climatic and soil conditions of Ethiopia allow cultivation of a wide range of fruit and vegetables including tomato. In 2005, tomato production in Ethiopia reached about 35,407 metric tones from a total harvested area of 4788 ha. Tomatoes are grouped into two major categories (the determinate (bush) and the indeterminate (tall) groups). Determinate tomatoes, including both processing and fresh market types, are smaller and more compact than indeterminate varieties (Atherton and Rudich, 1986). The indeterminate varieties are mostly used in field and greenhouse production in areas where high quality fresh fruit are required for salad and when there is adequate manual labor for staking the plants and picking the fruit over a prolonged marketing period (George, 1989)
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