Some Effects of Variety on the Composition and Quality of Tomato Fruit

Abstract

SummaryThe influence of variety on some aspects of the composition and visual quality of tomato fruit grown in heated glasshouse borders is described. Marked differences in fruit acidity were consistently observed between varieties. Varietal differences in sugar content were generally smaller and not so clearly defined.The introduction of the even-ripening character into standard varieties had no significant effect on fruit composition in terms of acidity, sugars or total solids; its beneficial effect on visual quality was not confined to the greenback category alone.The compact-habit character had adverse effects on fruit composition during the early stages of cropping. With variety Moneymaker, though not with Harbinger or E.S.5, compact-habit increased the incidence of ripening disorders in each of three seasons.Total and partial correlations between fruit size, shape and acidity are presented and discussed. A close relationship was found between the total solids content and refractive index of the expressed sap.