Changes In Tomato Research Articles

Strigolactones Control Root System Architecture and Tip Anatomy in Solanum Lycopersicum L. Plants under P Starvation.

The hormones strigolactones accumulate in plant roots under phosphorus (P) shortage, inducing variations in plant phenotype. In this study, we aimed at understanding whether strigolactones control morphological and anatomical changes in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) roots under varying P supply. Root traits were evaluated in wild-type seedlings grown in high vs. low P, with or without exogenous strigolactones, and in wild-type and strigolactone-depleted plants grown first under high vs. no P, and then under high vs. no P after acclimation on low P. Exogenous strigolactones stimulated primary root and lateral root number under low P. Root growth was reduced in strigolactone-depleted plants maintained under continuous P deprivation. Total root and root hair length, lateral root number and root tip anatomy were impaired by low strigolactone biosynthesis in plants grown under low P or transferred from low to no P. Under adequate P conditions, root traits of strigolactone-depleted and wild-type plants were similar. Concluding, our results indicate that strigolactones (i) control macro- and microscopic changes of root in tomato depending on P supply; and (ii) do not affect root traits significantly when plants are supplemented with adequate P, but are needed for acclimation to no P and typical responses to low P.

Combination of ultrasound and ultraviolet‐C irradiation on kinetics of color, firmness, weight loss, and total phenolic content changes in tomatoes during storage

A kinetic study was conducted to account for the changes occurring in color, firmness, weight loss, and total phenolic content of tomatoes subjected to combined ultrasound technology (40 kHz, 13.78 W/L) and ultraviolet-C radiation (639.37 µw/cm2) treatment for 28 min. Combined treatment delayed ripening, increased firmness, weight loss, and induced total phenolic content retention of tomatoes compared to untreated samples. The change in color parameters of hue angle and chroma was described using the fractional conversion and zero-order models, respectively. Fractional conversion kinetic model was also found suitable for firmness degradation, while the zero-order and first-order models were appropriate for change in weight loss and total phenolic content retention prediction, respectively. Activation energy for measured parameters ranged from 121.29 to 199.70 kJ/mol at a temperature range of 33.76–37.12ºC, and showed highest sensitivity to treatment temperature in reduced ranking for firmness degradation, weight loss, total phenolic content retention, hue angle, and chroma. Practical applications The research provides a new method for postharvest handling of fruits and vegetables. The method utilizes ultrasound technology and ultraviolet-C radiation in combination and finds potential application in industries for shelf life extension during the storage, processing, and supply chain management of fruits and vegetables. However, the method may result in undesirable changes like weight loss, physical softening, or bioactive content degradation. Optimized parameters of the method are essential for loss minimizations and cost-effective practical applications. A thorough understanding of the influence of temperature of the system, treatment time, ultrasound acoustic energy density, and ultraviolet-C dosage on the quality properties of tomatoes and their change kinetics through fundamental approach modeling as presented in this research, is a step toward optimization of the technology.

Distinct Signatures of Host Defense Suppression by Plant-Feeding Mites.

Tomato plants are attacked by diverse herbivorous arthropods, including by cell-content-feeding mites, such as the extreme generalist Tetranychus urticae and specialists like Tetranychus evansi and Aculops lycopersici. Mite feeding induces plant defense responses that reduce mite performance. However, T. evansi and A. lycopersici suppress plant defenses via poorly understood mechanisms and, consequently, maintain a high performance on tomato. On a shared host, T. urticae can be facilitated by either of the specialist mites, likely due to the suppression of plant defenses. To better understand defense suppression and indirect plant-mediated interactions between herbivorous mites, we used gene-expression microarrays to analyze the transcriptomic changes in tomato after attack by either a single mite species (T. urticae, T. evansi, A. lycopersici) or two species simultaneously (T. urticae plus T. evansi or T. urticae plus A. lycopersici). Additionally, we assessed mite-induced changes in defense-associated phytohormones using LC-MS/MS. Compared to non-infested controls, jasmonates (JAs) and salicylate (SA) accumulated to higher amounts upon all mite-infestation treatments, but the response was attenuated after single infestations with defense-suppressors. Strikingly, whereas 8 to 10% of tomato genes were differentially expressed upon single infestations with T. urticae or A. lycopersici, respectively, only 0.1% was altered in T. evansi-infested plants. Transcriptome analysis of dual-infested leaves revealed that A. lycopersici primarily suppressed T. urticae-induced JA defenses, while T. evansi dampened T. urticae-triggered host responses on a transcriptome-wide scale. The latter suggests that T. evansi not solely down-regulates plant gene expression, but rather directs it back towards housekeeping levels. Our results provide valuable new insights into the mechanisms underlying host defense suppression and the plant-mediated facilitation of competing herbivores.

Molecular dissection of distinct symptoms induced by tomato chlorosis virus and tomato yellow leaf curl virus based on comparative transcriptome analysis

The viral infection of plants may cause various physiological symptoms associated with the reprogramming of plant gene expression. However, the molecular mechanisms and associated genes underlying disease symptom development in plants infected with viruses are largely unknown. In this study, we employed RNA sequencing for in-depth molecular characterization of the transcriptional changes associated with the development of distinct symptoms induced by tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) and tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) in tomato. Comparative analysis of differentially expressed genes revealed that ToCV and TYLCV induced distinct transcriptional changes in tomato and resulted in the identification of important genes responsible for the development of symptoms of ToCV (i.e., chlorosis and anthocyanin accumulation) and TYLCV (i.e., yellowing, stunted growth, and leaf curl). Our comprehensive transcriptome analysis can provide molecular strategies to reduce the severity of disease symptoms as well as new insights for the development of virus-resistant crops.

Comparative Evaluation of Biochemical Changes in Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) Infected by Alternaria alternata and Its Toxic Metabolites (TeA, AOH, and AME).

In the present study, we have evaluated the comparative biochemical defense response generated against Alternaria alternata and its purified toxins viz. alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), and tenuazonic acid (TeA). The necrotic lesions developed due to treatment with toxins were almost similar as those produced by the pathogen, indicating the crucial role of these toxins in plant pathogenesis. An oxidative burst reaction characterized by the rapid and transient production of a large amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) occurs following the pathogen infection/toxin exposure. The maximum concentration of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) produced was reported in the pathogen infected samples (22.2-fold) at 24 h post inoculation followed by TeA (18.2-fold), AOH (15.9-fold), and AME (14.1-fold) in treated tissues. 3,3′- Diaminobenzidine staining predicted the possible sites of H2O2 accumulation while the extent of cell death was measured by Evans blue dye. The extent of lipid peroxidation and malondialdehyde (MDA) content was higher (15.8-fold) at 48 h in the sample of inoculated leaves of the pathogen when compared to control. The cellular damages were observed as increased MDA content and reduced chlorophyll. The activities of antioxidative defense enzymes increased in both the pathogen infected as well as toxin treated samples. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was 5.9-fold higher at 24 h post inoculation in leaves followed by TeA (5.0-fold), AOH (4.1-fold) and AME (2.3-fold) treated leaves than control. Catalase (CAT) activity was found to be increased upto 48 h post inoculation and maximum in the pathogen challenged samples followed by other toxins. The native PAGE results showed the variations in the intensities of isozyme (SOD and CAT) bands in the pathogen infected and toxin treated samples. Ascorbate peroxidase (APx) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities followed the similar trend to scavenge the excess H2O2. The reduction in CAT activities after 48 h post inoculation demonstrate that the biochemical defense programming shown by the host against the pathogen is not well efficient resulting in the compatible host-pathogen interaction. The elicitor (toxins) induced biochemical changes depends on the potential toxic effects (extent of ROS accumulation, amount of H2O2 produced). Thus, a fine tuning occurs for the defense related antioxidative enzymes against detoxification of key ROS molecules and effectively regulated in tomato plant against the pathogen infected/toxin treated oxidative stress. The study well demonstrates the acute pathological effects of A. alternata in tomato over its phytotoxic metabolites.

Favorable effects of the weak ethylene receptor mutation Sletr1-2 on postharvest fruit quality changes in tomatoes

Tomatoes with a prolonged fruit shelf life and improved postharvest quality would be an attractive commodity for both breeders and consumers. A weak allele of the tomato ethylene receptor mutant Sletr1-2 elicits an extended fruit shelf life without prominent undesirable pleiotropic effects. In this study, we elucidate the influences of the Sletr1-2 mutation on alterations of the postharvest fruit quality of Sletr1-2 F1 hybrid lines from four different pure-line cultivar parents. The changes in the compositions of metabolic compounds, including sugars, organic acids and amino acids, over 30days of postharvest storage have been evaluated. The Sletr1-2 mutation significantly affected the postharvest fruit quality parameters of the Sletr1-2 F1 hybrid lines in a manner that depended on the pure-line cultivar parental backgrounds. The influence of the Sletr1-2 mutation was detected only in the reductions and/or increases of individual amino acids and increases in the levels of organic acids, i.e., malate and citrate. In contrast, the sugar level was not changed. Moreover, the Sletr1-2 mutation significantly reduced the rate of water loss during postharvest storage. These results indicate that the Sletr1-2 mutation has favorable effects on the postharvest changes of Sletr1-2 F1 hybrid tomatoes that improve both the shelf life and the taste quality.

Alleviation of cadmium stress in Solanum lycopersicum L. by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi via induction of acquired systemic tolerance

Experiments were conducted to evaluate cadmium (Cd) stress-induced changes in growth, antioxidants and lipid composition of Solanum lycopersicum with and without arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Cadmium stress (50μM) caused significant changes in the growth and physio-biochemical attributes studied. AMF mitigated the deleterious impact of Cd on the parameters studied. Cadmium stress increased malonaldehyde and hydrogen peroxide production but AMF reduced these parameters by mitigating oxidative stress. The activity of antioxidant enzymes enhanced under Cd treatment and AMF inoculation further enhanced their activity, thus strengthening the plant’s defense system. Proline and phenol content increased in Cd-treated as well as AMF-inoculated plants providing efficient protection against Cd stress. Cadmium treatment resulted in great alterations in the main lipid classes leading to a marked change in their composition. Cadmium stress caused a significant reduction in polyunsaturated fatty acids resulting in enhanced membrane leakage. The present study supports the use of AMF as a biological means to ameliorate Cd stress-induced changes in tomato.

Physiological changes in tomato leaves arising from Xanthomonas gardneri infection

Bacterial spot disease, which is caused by Xanthomonas gardneri, is one of the most important diseases affecting tomato production, and it can lead to significant losses in yield. Nevertheless, the tomato responses to this bacterial disease are not well studied. The present study aimed to evaluate the biochemical and physiological changes in the leaves of tomato plants (cv. Santa Clara) after infection by X. gardneri. Gas exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters, as well as the concentrations of photosynthetic pigments, were measured. The antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), non-specific peroxidase (POX), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione reductase (GR), as well as the concentrations of metabolites involved in oxidative stress responses (superoxide (O2−), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA)), were also evaluated. In plants inoculated with X. gardneri, the gas exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters, as well as the concentrations of photosynthetic pigments, were reduced. In general, during bacterial infection, the activity of SOD, CAT, APX, POX, GPX and GR was significantly higher in inoculated plants than in non-inoculated plants. The concentrations of O2−, H2O2 and MDA were also higher in the inoculated plants. Considering the extensive damage on leaf tissue caused by X. gardneri infection, the reactive oxygen species scavenging systems were apparently insufficient to reduce the increased levels of reactive oxygen species or the disease symptoms.

Processing, Packaging, and Storage of Tomato Products: Influence on the Lycopene Content

According to several epidemiological studies, the lycopene content of tomato and tomato-based products is related to a variety of health benefits. This has sparked interest in knowing the effect of processing and storage of tomato products on this carotenoid, in order to preserve it during manufacturing and distribution till consumption. Furthermore, in the last few years special attention has been paid to the changes of all-trans and cis-isomers of lycopene during processing and storage. In fact, cis-isomers have shown higher health-promoting properties than all-trans isomers. Heat, light, oxygen, food matrices, and ingredients such as oil are factors that have an important effect on the main lycopene degradation reactions: isomerization and oxidation. These reactions could affect the bioavailability and reduce the bioactivity of these compounds. This article reviews the lycopene changes in tomato and tomato products during preparation operations, processing, and storage using different packaging materials. Special attention has been paid to those technological conditions which may affect the lycopene stability, particularly those able to enhance the cis-forms content that have greater bioavailability than all-trans lycopene isomers.

USE OF ZEIN AND ETHYLCELLULOSE AS BIODEGRADABLE FILM ON EVALUATION OF POST-HARVEST CHANGES IN TOMATO (Lycopersicum esculentum)

The worldwide pollution index registered in the last decades has conducted to develop methods for biodegradation and reutilization of contaminant materials. From here rises the necessity to elaborate biodegradable packaging materials. In this study, a biodegradable zein and ethylcellulose based film was developed and used as a covering material to evaluate its effect on the enzymatic activity of pectinmethylesterase and polygalacturonase, texture, respiration rate and weight loss of tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum). Biodegradable film decreased the weight loss rate and softening of the fruits. However, enzymatic activity and respiration rate were not affected by the film application. The results showed that the changes in tomato are due to physical effects of water loss more than a metabolic change. By using this material, it was possible to lower tomato’s respiration rate in comparison with controls causing a lesser loss of weight. Biodegradable film delayed change in color as well as texture compared with controls. There was a significant difference in pectin methyl esterase activity in the covered tomato, but there was no difference in polygalacturonase activity.

Improving fruit quality in tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill) under heat stress by silencing the vis 1 gene using small interfering RNA technology

Constantly elevated temperatures cause an array of physio-biochemical changes in tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) which make the fruit ripen quickly and up to 50 % yield loss. The development of tomato cultivars, using genetic engineering approaches which delay ripening, offers a new way to keep tomatoes healthy under heat stress. Over-expression of small heat shock protein gene, viscosity 1 (vis 1) plays a role in increasing juice viscosity, early ripening and tissue soften which emphasizes the importance of this gene in premature ripening. The aim of this work was therefore to develop a useful system for silencing the vis1 gene using small interfering RNA strategy. Agrobacterium strain GV3101 harbouring the binary vector pICBV19 containing the gus and bar genes was used to adapt the transformation process in this study. The primers were designed to amplified the first exon of the vis 1 gene and the amplified fragment was used for cloning into the pFGC5941 at XhoI/NcoI site at sense orientation then additional fragment was subsequently cloned at BamHI/XbaI to form sense/antisense cloned fragment interrupted by the CHSA-intron Agrobacterium strain LBA4404 with the binary vector pFGC5941 which harbors vis1 gene under the control of the 35S promoter containing bar gene under the control of a mannopine synthase 2′(Mas2′) as selectable marker, was used to reduce the expression of vis1 gene in fruit. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), RT–PCR and northern blotting analysis were applied to detect putative transgenic plants. Significantly, silencing of vis 1 gene was potently occur and new transgenic tomato cultivars were produced with enhanced ripening qualities for recommendation for growing under heat stress.

Gene expression changes in tomato during symptom development in response to leaf curl virus infection

During stress conditions, plant gene expression changes to cope up with the altered environment. The reprogramming of gene expression during viral infections is to be accounted towards host adaptation to the invading virus by developing defense mechanism. As a consequence of restructured gene expression, plant’s physiology gets affected and is evident in the form of symptoms. In the present study, Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) has been used as model system for the study of altered expression of genes in tomato during symptom development using microarray. Gene expression profiles were monitored in leaf tissues during symptom development in Solanum lycopersicum. To explore the differential expression analysis, tomato cDNA gene chip arrays have been used with 26,173 protein-coding genes. A total of 920 differentially expressed genes in response to ToLCNDV were identified in tomato. KEGG pathway analysis of these genes categorizes 652 differentially expressed genes into 77 known pathways, mostly related to increasing respiration rate, decreasing rate of photosynthesis, accumulation of soluble sugars/starch and results in elevated levels of amino acid synthesis. The possible role of these changes in altering host physiology, developed in the form of symptoms has been discussed.

Interpreting textural changes in low temperature stored tomatoes

Low temperature storage alters tomato textural properties, resulting in unusual changes in firmness, while ripening during cool storage can confound these chilling-induced textural changes. Inconsistent results have been reported related to chilling-induced alteration in tomato texture. The effects of chilling on tomato texture were investigated using fruit stored at 2.5 or 6°C (chilled) or 20°C (non-chilled) for 27 d before transfer to 20°C. Given that many factors influence the firmness of chilling-injured tomato and different measurement methods indicate different characteristics of tomato texture, the present study employed a range of textural measurement techniques in order to interpret chilling-induced textural changes in tomatoes during long term storage. Analysis of data from a range of textural methods indicated that storage at 6°C mainly induced loss of turgor whereas 2.5°C induced loss of tissue integrity along with turgor loss. Plotting textural changes against colour as an indicator of ripening allowed a clearer definition of chilling-induced textural change.

Physico-chemical Changes in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Fruits as Influenced by Cultivation Systems and Modified Atmosphere Packaging

Tomatoes are highly perishable and postharvest losses vary greatly among production areas and seasons of production. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of open or protected cultivation system and postharvest modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on the physical and chemical changes of tomatoes during ambient storage with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 35°C and relative humidity (RH) of 80% to 90%. The cultivation system had no significant effect on the physicochemical constituents. In contrast, MAP storage significantly influenced some of the storage parameters evaluated. Use of paper bags and 0.02 mm thick low density polyethylene bags with diffusion holes slightly delayed ripening, effectively reduced weight loss, minimized decay incidence and maintained better visual quality throughout the 12 – day storage period relative to fruits stored in the open.

Magnetic field treated water effects on germination, growth and physio-chemical aspects of some economic plants

Labour and greenhouse experiments were conducted to study the effect of magnetic field treated water on germination, growth and physiological and biochemical changes in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and pea (Pisum sativum L.). The results indicated that magnetic field treated water increased seed germination percentage, seed germination value and seedling vigour index. Magnetic field treated water increased also plant height, leaf area per plant, specific leaf area (SLA), leaf relative water content (LRWC), whereas the leaf water deficit (LWD) values were decreased. Biochemical analysis of the plant leaves irrigated by magnetic field treated water clarified changes in the photosynthetic pigments, UV-absorbing substances (UVAS), activities of peroxidase (POX) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzymes, carbohydrates, phenolics and mineral ion contents. The latter changes are associated with the modifications in the membrane integrity of the plant leaves and the concentrations of some endogenous hormones in the plant shoots.

The Effect of Methyl Jasmonate Vapour on Some Characteristics of Fruit Ripening, Carotenoids and Tomatine Changes in Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

Tomato ripening in normal red-fruited cultivar (Fiorin) was delayed by treatment with methyl jasmonate (JA-Me) vapour. A visual scoring system for describing tomato ripening was used. Surface of fruits exposed to JA-Me vapour, increased in yellow and decreased in red as determined by HunterLab colour meter. JA-Me significantly altered the firmness of fruits after 21 days storage. Vapour of JA-Me enhanced the level of β-carotene in outer part (peel with 3 mm pericarp tissue) of fruit, while it had no effect in peeled fruit pericarp. JA-Me treatment decreased the level of lycopene in outer part and pericarp tissue, however, in outer part lycopene content decreased at a higher rate than in pericarp. Amount of tomatine in fruits treated with JA-Me had enhanced four-fold in outer part and by 62% in peeled fruit pericarp as compared with the control.

English

  Plant resists pathogen infection through physical and chemical defenses that may be application of some biotics and abiotics inducers. It has been found that pre treatment with bioagents Trichoderma harzianum,(Kan.), T. harzianum (Del.), T. harzianum (Pant), Trichoderma viride (Kan.), T. viride (Del.), T. viride (Pant),Aspergillus niger AN-27 (Kan.) Chaetosphaeridium globosum (Del.) and Pseudomonas fluorescens (Del.) provided induced resistance in plant against F. o. f.sp. lycopersici resulting declined disease incidence from 100 to 7.69%. The maximum inhibition was noted by T. harzianum (Kan.) isolates. The induction of resistance was associated with certain biochemical changes in tomato leaves. Treatment with bio-agents as inducers prior to challenge inoculation sensitized the seedling to produce increased level of soluble proteins. The maximum increase in soluble protein content was found in (T1) T. harzianum (Kan.) treated plant showing 35.04 mg/g of fresh leaves against 20.49 mg/g of fresh leaves in case of control-II. A high content of phenols which are the indication of first stage of defense mechanism was also recorded in treated plant with maximum in T. harzianum (Kan.) treatment representing 2.62 g/mg of fresh leaves against 1.38 in control-I at 20 days of inoculation. The disease severity showed negative correlation with soluble protein (r=-0.6364) and total phenol (r=-0.7653). Protein profiling by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) revealed that the soil treated with T. harzianum (Kan.) to synthesize some new protein representing maximum number of 22 bands. The presence or absence of the bands in protein profiling might be responsible for resistance response against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici in tomato.   Key words: Biochemical change, biotic inducers, disease incidence, Fusarium wilt, protein profiling.

From shoots to roots: transport and metabolic changes in tomato after simulated feeding by a specialist lepidopteran

AbstractUpon herbivory, plants can swiftly reallocate newly acquired resources to different tissues within a plant. Although the herbivore‐induced movement of resources is apparent, the movement direction and the role of the remobilized resources are not well understood. Here, we used a two‐pronged approach combining radioisotope and metabolomic techniques to shed light on whole‐plant resource reallocation and changes in primary metabolism within the tomato, Solanum lycopersicum (L.) (Solanaceae), model in response to simulated herbivory by the specialist Manduca sexta (L.) (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae). Manduca sexta regurgitant applied to damaged leaves, but not mechanical damage alone, increased 11C‐photosynthate allocation to roots but did not affect 11CO2 fixation and leaf export. Changes in primary metabolite concentrations occurred mostly in sink tissues (apex and roots) as well as in damaged leaves. Both damage treatments (with and without M. sexta regurgitant application) resulted in increased concentrations of primary metabolites relative to undamaged plants in the apex and decreased concentrations in the roots, but there were also extensive changes specific to each damage treatment. Mechanical damage alone led to changes consistent with water stress caused by tissue damage. Manduca sexta led to metabolite increases in the apex consistent with an increase in glucose breakdown, metabolite increases in damaged leaves consistent with starch degradation, and metabolite decreases in roots suggesting a high use of metabolites. A possible explanation for the observed patterns in the aboveground tissues might be an increase in carbohydrate degradation to support defense production in attacked leaves and vulnerable developing leaves, and/or subsequent remobilization to belowground tissues to support high carbohydrate demand for respiration, enhanced nutrient uptake, and storage.

Physico-chemical changes in tomato with modified atmosphere storage and UV treatment.

Physico-chemical changes in ripe tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) were analyzed on day 0 and 2weeks after ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light treatment or modified atmosphere (MA) storage and combined UV-C + MA storage at 10°C. Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) film was used to create MA conditions. The tomatoes were evaluated for surface colour, mass loss, firmness, respiration rate, total soluble solids and antioxidant capacity. The tomatoes treated with UV-C and MA storage underwent least changes in their physico-chemical properties, indicating that combination of UV-C and MA storage was successful in retaining the attributes of the fresh product. The increase in antioxidant capacity of the tomatoes during UV-C treatment suggested that UV treatment during post harvest handling may be successfully combined with MA storage, resulting in a product with better nutritive value.

Measurement and evaluation of tomato maturity using magnetic resonance imaging

Tomato maturity is one of the most important factors associated with the quality of processed tomato products. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is capable of probing the local environment and density of water protons, and encoding the differences in water properties in the form of contrast in image signal intensity. This study investigated changes in tomatoes at different maturity using MRI and the potential for using MRI for tomato maturity classification. A set of 5 MR images was collected on processing tomatoes at various maturity stages. The 5 MRI sequences were selected so that information on water proton properties, including proton density, T1, T2, and diffusion rate, are encoded in the MR image signal intensity. A relative water diffusion rate map was also calculated. Changes in structural features and volume element (voxel) intensity in the images were observed as tomatoes develop from green to red stage. In image analysis, voxels in the region of interest (ROI) corresponding to the pericarp of the tomato were used to calculate statistical features of the voxel intensity for image characterization. Partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was applied to a total of 48 image features calculated from 5 MR images of 144 processing tomatoes to predict the tomato maturity. The model with 4 latent variables captures 70% of the variation in tomato maturity. The classification accuracies of the PLS-DA model were around 90% for green, breaker-light red, and red maturity stages. The Variable Importance in Projection coefficient of the 48 image features in the model indicated that the diffusion weighted image and spin echo image with higher T2 weighting were most important for tomato maturity classification.