Abstract
A mechanical impulse system for determining tomato fruit maturity and size was tested, for development of a rapid, nondestructive fruit testing instrument. Fruit were grouped into various maturity categories, ranging from immature green to red, and impulse spectra were obtained at a site over the locule at marked locations. Resistance to puncture was measured on the locular side of the pericarp wall at the same locations. A sonic resonant frequency band was weakly correlated with fruit maturity category. Stronger correlations existed with pericarp puncture resistance and fruit weight. A description of essential components and utilization of the instrument for fruit firmness determination will be presented. Supported by OCAST (Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology) grant AR2-069, USDA grant 92-34150-7190 and the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station.
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