Quality Of Tomato Research Articles

Quantifying Temperature Effects on Development Rate and Plant Quality of Compact Container-grown Tomato

Mean daily temperature effects on plant development rates and quality were evaluated for compact container-grown tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Compact tomato varieties ‘Siam’ and ‘Red Velvet’ were grown in greenhouses at 18 to 26 °C (Expt. 1) and 20 to 30 °C (Expt. 2) under supplemental high-pressure sodium lighting and 16-h photoperiod. The number of days to first open flower, first ripe fruit and from flower to ripe fruit were measured and development rates calculated by taking the reciprocal (e.g., 1/d). Temperature effects were predicted by fitting a linear (for first open flower) and a nonlinear exponential function (for first ripe fruit and between first open flower and ripe fruit), which included base temperature (Tmin) and maximum developmental rate (Rmax, 1/d) parameters. Plant quality attributes were measured in Expt. 2. As temperature increased, the time to flower and fruit decreased (i.e., developmental rates increased) for both varieties. Estimated Tmin was 8.7 °C for ‘Siam’ and 11.4 °C for ‘Red Velvet’, whereas Rmax was similar between cultivars (0.030 at fruit and 0.037 from flower to fruit). ‘Siam’ and ‘Red Velvet’ grown at ≈25 °C had a relatively short crop time, compact canopy, adequate fruit size, and a high number of fruits per plant at finish. Compact tomatoes are new crops being grown by greenhouse floriculture operations for ornamental and edible value, and the information from this study can help growers schedule these crops to meet critical market windows and determine the impacts of changing growing temperature on crop timing and quality.

Processing Tomato and Potato Response to Biostimulant Application in Open Field: An Overview

Biostimulants include a wide array of microorganisms and substances that can exert beneficial effects on plant development and growth, often enhancing nutrient uptake and improving tolerance against abiotic and biotic stress. Depending on their composition and time of application, these products can influence plant physiology directly as growth regulators or indirectly through environmental condition changes in the rhizosphere, such as nutrient and water availability. This review evaluated 48 case studies from 39 papers to summarize the effects of biostimulant application on fruit and tuber yields and on the quality of processing tomato and potato in open field conditions. For potato, PGPR bacteria were the main studied biostimulant, whereas the low number of studies on processing tomato did not permit us to delineate a trend. The yield and quality were greatly influenced by cultivars and biostimulant composition, application method, period, and dose. For processing tomato, a positive effect of the biostimulant application on the marketable yield was reported in 79% of the case studies, whereas for potato, the effect was reported in only 47%. Few studies, on processing tomato and potato, also reported data for quality parameters with contrasting results. The variability of crop response to biostimulant application in open field conditions highlights the need for more comprehensive studies. Such studies should focus on diverse cultivars, deeply understand the interaction of biostimulant application with agronomic management (e.g., irrigation and fertilization), and evaluate yield and quality parameters. This approach is crucial to fully understand the potential and limitations of biostimulant applications in agriculture, particularly regarding their role in sustainable crop production.

AmiRNA Technology Enhances Tomato Disease Resistance by Suppressing Plant-Pathogen Interaction Pathways through Inhibiting TYLCV Replication.

Tomato yellow leaf curl virus disease has seriously threatened the quality and yield of tomatoes. In this study, we investigated the role of amiRNA technology in disease resistance in tomatoes (cherry tomato and large-fruited tomato) and analyzed the physiological and molecular mechanisms of disease resistance in transgenic plants. TYLCV contains six functional genes, of which the C1, C2, and V1 genes have more phosphorylation sites and glycosylation sites, and the protein structure is more complex. The virus replication was inhibited, the peroxidation of membrane lipids was reduced, and disease resistance was enhanced in all transgenic cherry tomato (J6) plants in which the C1, C2, and V1 genes were silenced, respectively. Similarly, silencing of the C1 gene enhanced disease resistance in large-fruited tomatoes. In conclusion, amiRNA technology hinders viral replication, leading to reduced activity of the tomato plant-pathogen interaction pathway and weakening tomato-virus interactions, thereby improving disease resistance.

Effect of Microcontroller-Based Pulsed Magnetic Pretreatments on Some Quality of Frozen-Thawed Mango and Tomato

Effect of Microcontroller-Based Pulsed Magnetic Pretreatments on Some Quality of Frozen-Thawed Mango and Tomato

Multi-kernel inception aggregation diffusion network for tomato disease detection.

Tomato leaf diseases significantly impact the yield and quality of tomatoes during cultivation, the main of which are septoria leaf spot, leaf curl virus, verticillium wilt, and early blight. These diseases necessitate prompt detection and management strategies to mitigate their deleterious effects on crop productivity. Due to the considerable scale variations in diseased tomato leaves, accurate and rapid detection and diagnosis remain challenging. To address the detection of tomato leaf diseases at different scales, we propose a real-time detection model incorporating a Multi-kernel Inception Aggregation Diffusion Network. In this paper, (1) We present a Multi-kernel Inception Aggregation Diffusion Network (MIADN) for the feature processing stage, which facilitates the aggregation and diffusion of multi-scale features across hierarchical levels, benefiting the detection of targets at various scales. (2) We present the Multi-kernel Inception Module (MKIM), designed to extract multi-scale object features using diverse convolution kernels, thereby enhancing the model's feature fusion and representation capabilities. (3) We incorporate the efficient FasterNet network at the feature extraction stage to preserve feature diversity and improve the model's ability to extract complex target features. (4) Extensive comparative and ablation experiments demonstrate that our method achieves the mean average precision (mAP50) of 96.6%, surpassing the baseline model by 4.1% and the advanced YOLOv9s model by 2.0%. This method provides an effective solution for high-quality tomato cultivation.

The Application of 1-MCP in Combination with GABA Reduces Chilling Injury and Extends the Shelf Life in Tomato (Cv. Conquista)

Tomatoes have a short shelf life, and refrigeration is commonly used to extend tomato quality. However, suboptimal temperatures can lead to chilling injury (CI), reducing their marketability. In this study, the combined application of 10 mM γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and 0.5 µL L−1 of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) were used as strategies to reduce postharvest CI and prolong storability during tomato commercialization. Both treatments have individually demonstrated their effectiveness in lowering physiological disorders in tomatoes. When applied, the combined treatment resulted in the lowest CI and rot incidence levels compared with the control and individual treatments. Additionally, the combined application effectively delayed weight loss, fruit softening, respiration rate, ethylene production, and increased chlorophyll and flavonoid content. The synergistic application of these substances improved the postharvest quality during storage, reducing quality losses. For this reason, the combination of GABA and 1-MCP could be an effective tool to minimize tomato waste during commercialization by increasing resilience to cold storage and extending the overall fruit shelf life during refrigerated storage.

Influence of Training and Tomato Hybrids on Growth, and Quality of Tomato under Shade Net House

This study examines the influence of different training systems and tomato hybrids on the growth, yield, and quality of tomatoes (Solanum Lycopersicon L.) under shade net house conditions. It was conducted at the Hi-Tech Horticulture Unit, Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Karnal, during the 2016-17 growing season. The experiment followed a Factorial arrangement of treatments in Randomized Complete Block Design (FRBD) with two training systems (one-stem and two-stem) and four hybrids (STH-39, STH-901, STH-801, and STH-701). Growth results indicated that the one-stem system significantly enhanced plant height (270.08 cm), leaf area (77.06 cm²), and stem girth (1.75 cm), while the two-stem system increased the number of leaves (82.80 per plant). Hybrid STH-801 exhibited superior vegetative performance, with the highest plant height (309.03 cm), maximum number of branches (8.17), and largest leaf area (79.22 cm²). In terms of quality parameters, the training systems had no significant effect on traits such as total soluble solids (TSS), pH, pericarp thickness, or shelf life. However, hybrid STH-801 recorded the highest TSS (5.47 °Brix) and longest shelf life (23 days). STH-39 produced the thickest pericarp (1.10 cm) and largest fruit volume (157 cc), contributing to better fruit quality. These findings highlight the importance of hybrid selection and training systems in improving both the growth and quality of tomatoes under protected cultivation.

Effect of fertigation scheduling and doses of NPK on growth, yield and quality of cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. var. cerasiforme) under protected condition

This study investigated the impact of different fertigation schedules on cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) cultivation in a controlled environment at TNAU, Coimbatore, India. A Completely Randomized Design with nine treatments and three replications was used, incorporating various combinations of soil application and fertigation with water-soluble fertilizers at 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF). Critical parameters such as growth, phenological traits, yield, fruit quality, soil nutrient status, and plant nutrient uptake were evaluated. Statistical analyses, including ANOVA, path coefficient analysis, and principal component analysis (PCA), were performed to assess treatment effects and identify relationships between variables. The results consistently demonstrated that fertigation with water-soluble fertilizers at 100% RDF (T3) yielded the best outcomes for most parameters, followed by 75% RDF fertigation (T4) and a combination of 25% soil application and 75% fertigation (T7). Significant improvements in plant growth, yield and fruit quality were observed with optimized fertigation compared to traditional soil application methods. T3 (100% RDF through fertigation) resulted in the highest plant height (263.95 cm), number of primary branches (15), leaf area (316.77 cm²) and dry matter production (96.85 kg/plant). Yield attributes such as fruits per plant (326.50), fruit weight (3.73 g), and total yield (23.95 t/ha) were also highest in T3. Path coefficient analysis indicated strong positive correlations between growth and yield parameters. PCA showed that the first principal component accounted for 85.9 % of the total variation. These findings highlight the potential for fertigation to improve resource use efficiency and productivity in cherry tomato cultivation.

Impact of harvest maturity and storage conditions on tomato quality: A comprehensive experimental and modeling study

The study was applied to fresh tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum, Marbone variety). First, a field survey was conducted to obtain statistical data on the temperature and duration (minimum, mode, maximum) at different stages in the supply chain. Then, the physicochemical, phytochemical and volatile compounds were measured at harvest and on five different days (3, 7, 11, 14 and 21 days) for two maturity stages at harvest (green-orange and light red) and under three storage temperatures (3 °C, 8 °C and 15 °C). These data were used to evaluate the combined impact of harvest maturity, time and storage temperature on the evolution of the different compounds. From the same data, quality models were developed based on the Arrhenius equation to describe the tomato quality evolution under different storage temperatures for (Z)-3 hexenal, total sum of acids, lycopene and chlorogenic acid. These compounds were chosen because of their relation to commercial and nutritional qualities. The model results were validated using additional data from a different study conducted on one constant temperature profile and two dynamic time-temperature profiles as in a supply chain. Finally, data from the field survey and the quality models were combined in a Monte Carlo process (105 product items) to simulate the variability of time-temperature profiles from the grower to the sales outlet and its impact on the quality attributes. For two maturity stages at harvest, the impact of the supply chain on the quality attributes of tomatoes at the sales outlet was also analyzed. Simulation results show that the maturity stage at harvest significantly impacts the final lycopene content and the total sum of acids in tomatoes at the sales outlet, with fruit harvested at the light red stage containing higher lycopene levels (and a lower hue angle) and a lower total sum of acids in comparison with fruit harvested at the green-orange stage. However, at the sales outlet, the concentrations of chlorogenic acid and (Z)-3-hexenal in fruit harvested at the green-orange and light red stages are similar. This information would be useful for fruit and vegetable stakeholders for time-temperature management of tomato fruit throughout the supply chain in order to optimally preserve the main quality attributes.

Control of fungal diseases of tomato (<i>Lycopersicum esculentum</i> Mill) fruits using various plant extracts

Plant harmful fungi induce symptoms of illnesses that significantly impair the quantity and quality of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) yields. The high-water composition of tomatoes renders it highly vulnerable to fungal decay. These fungi, responsible for the decay of tomatoes, generate mycotoxins that pose serious risks to human health. Thus, this research goal is to separate, characterize, and classify the fungi linked with the decline of tomato produce sold across four markets in Mkpat Enin and Ikot Abasi Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Among the fungal pathogens extracted from afflicted tomato fruits were Fusarium moniliformes, Rhizopus stolonifera, and Aspergillus alternata. Different concentrations of the extracts were individually introduced into Potato Dextrose Agar media. The fungal pathogens were at that point individually introduced into the media and left to incubate for 7 days. Findings revealed that P < 0.05 suppressed the mycelial evolution of the fungal pathogens at a greater concentration tested, with the extent of inhibition varying among different extracts. The results concerning the proportion inhibition of plant extracts on different fungus indicated that, at concentrations ranging from 40% to 80%, ethanolic extracts derived from Cola acuminata and Zingiber officinale significantly (p<0.05) restrained the growth of F. moniliformes, R. stolonifera, and A. alternata. Specifically, the ethanolic leaf extract of C. acuminata demonstrated moderate inhibition on A. alternata at 60%, while the ethanolic extract of Zingiber officinale exhibited low inhibition on F. moniliformes at 40%. At a concentration of 60% in ethanolic extracts, F. moniliformes experienced the greatest inhibition among the plant extracts, whereas A. alternata displayed the least inhibition. Pathogenicity testing indicated that Aspergillus alternata exhibited the largest decay of 25mm in diameter in a healthy tomato fruit, while Rhizopus stolonifera had the smallest decay diameter. Thus, to cover the ledge life of tomato fruits, therefore there’s adequate need to implement proper handling techniques and utilize adequate storage facilities.

Amending clayey and sandy soils with nano - bio phosphorous for regulating tomato growth, biochemical, and physiological characteristics

Phosphorus is a critical nutrient that significantly enhances tomato production, so maintaining an adequate level of phosphorus plays an essential role in enhancing the growth of tomato by being present in the soil. This study assessed the impact of soil texture and phosphorus content on tomato plant properties using a factorial, complete, randomized design with four replications. Treatments included clayey and sandy soils with varying phosphorus sources: non-phosphorus (P0), calcium phosphate (CaP1 and CaP2), and nano-hydroxyapatite (PN1 and PN2), where 1 indicates a concentration of 0.12 g and 2 indicates a concentration of 0.23 g per 5-kilogram pot of fertilizer. Results indicated that treatments significantly influenced yield parameters such as average fruit weight, juice content, antioxidant activity, and fruit volume. In the clayey soil, CaP2 treatment had a superior effect on yield, average fruit weight, and shoot fresh weight. In comparison with sandy conditions, CaP2 produced a 50% increase in fruit number, 29% increase in average fruit weight, and 91% increase in fruit yield. The treatments then impacted the shoot fresh weight and root length, while the phosphorus concentration appeared to be more dependent on soil type than on phosphorus sources. Similar to the CaP1 and CaP2 treatments, the PN1 treatment in clay soil also resulted in the highest fresh and dry weights of tomato shoots when compared with the control group. Generally, the findings from this study suggest that the use of CaP2 can serve as a reliable method to improve the growth, yield, and fruit quality of tomatoes, especially in clayey soil environments. However, nano-based phosphorous sources need to be tested more to see if they can improve tomato performance in a range of soil conditions. Also, further research should look into the long-term effects of phosphorous interventions on soil health and sustainability.

Effect of lemongrass and chili pepper oils on the quality of ripe tomato fruits stored under tropical ambient temperature

Postharvest quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruits treated with lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus L.) and chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) oil was evaluated. Tomato variety Roma fruits of uniform size and weight at the red stage of ripening were overlaid with lemongrass oil only (L1P0), chili pepper oil only (L0P1), or mixtures in a ratio 1:1 (L1P1), and 1:2 (L1P2 and L2P1). Control (L0P0) was not treated with any oil. Treated and untreated fruits were stored at 280±20C and 46%±2 RH for 12 days. Treatments L1P0 and L2P1 oil inhibited postharvest tomato fruit rot for 12 days, whereas L1P2, L0P1, and L1P1 oil and the control showed rot within the range of 86.6% - 100% in 12 days. L1P0 and L2P1 also slowed fruit softening and significantly reduced weight loss, though L1P0 was the most protective. Total soluble solid content of fruit was not affected by both L1P0 and L2P1 throughout storage, but the parameter reduced significantly (p<0.05) in fruits treated with L1P1, L1P2, L0P1 and in control. Reduction in titratable acidity during storage was least in fruits treated with L1P0 followed by L2P1, compared to that in other treatments and the control. This study showed that lemongrass oil applied as surface coating preserved tomato fruit quality in tropical ambient storage conditions for 12 days.

Effect of Tapioca and Tragacanth based edible coatings on the physiological, chemical, microbial, and phytochemical quality of Tomato fruits

AbstractIn recent years, edible coatings have emerged as a promising solution to extend the shelf life, and maintain the quality of fruits and vegetables. The purpose of the study was the development and application of gum Tragacanth and Tapioca‐based edible coatings to extend the storability and quality of tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L). Different treatments were prepared with combinations of Tragacanth gum (0.5, 1, 1.5 g) and Tapioca (1, 1.5, 2 g). Parameters such as weight loss, sugars, decay percentage, pH, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, antioxidant capacity, phenolic and flavonoid contents, microbial counts, and sensory evaluation were measured during 14 days storage. Results revealed that the application of gum Tragacanth and Tapioca‐based coatings significantly reduced weight loss, decay percentage, and microbial counts of treated tomatoes as compared to the control group. The coated tomatoes exhibited improved sensory features, with a slower rate of softening, during the storage. There was a significant increment in total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant capacity of coated fruits during 7 days of storage. The observed improvements in the postharvest quality attributes suggest that the gum Tragacanth and Tapioca‐based edible coatings have the potential to retain and enhance the nutritional and bioactive contents and shelf life of tomato.

Optimization of an aerated fertilizer irrigation application scheme for tomato photosynthesis, yield and quality in Xi'an, China

Soil aeration is known to alleviate root zone hypoxia, improve root growth environment, and enhance crop yield and water and fertilizer use efficiency. However, the specific effects of coupled soil aeration and fertilization on photosynthesis, chlorophyll content, yield, and quality of tomato remain unclear. To address this knowledge gap, greenhouse experiments were conducted for 2 years on tomato in Xi'an, China. In preliminary experiments, it was observed that the combination of venturi and two dispersers treatments could enhance air transfer distance within the drip irrigation system over a range of 0–25 m. Subsequently, in the planting experiments, 3 levels of aeration (A) were established: A1 (no aeration), A2 (7.50 % air-to-water ratio), and A3 (15.00 % air-to-water ratio), along with 3 fertilizer (F) levels: F1 (no additional fertilizer), F2 (N- P2O5-K2O fertilizer application rate of 120-60-78 kg ha−1), and F3 (N- P2O5-K2O fertilizer application rate of 240-120-150 kg ha−1). The study revealed that aeration significantly increased the photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll content, and dry matter content of tomatoes, resulting in a substantial improvement in both yield and quality. Additionally, aeration was found to enhance fertilizer use efficiency (FUE) and water use efficiency (WUE). In 2021, fertilizer increased the Chl. b content and improved photosynthesis, ultimately enhancing the yield, vitamin C, and total soluble sugars in tomatoes. Under the A3F1 treatment, FUE was the highest, while WUE was the highest under the A3F3 treatment. The A1F1 treatment resulted in the lowest tomato yield, with 37.22 t/ha in 2021 and 39.85 t/ha in 2022. The A3F3 treatment consistently produced the highest yield, achieving 50.53 t/ha in 2021 and 51.11 t/ha in 2022. The A1F3 treatment exhibited the highest return on investment. These findings are of paramount importance for optimizing tomato cultivation practices, improving fertilizer efficiency, and promoting sustainable agricultural production.

Overexpression of the persimmon ABA receptor DkPYL3 gene alters fruit development and ripening in transgenic tomato

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a crucial plant hormone that regulates various aspects of plant development. However, the specific function of the ABA receptor PYL in fruit development has not been fully understood. In this study, we focused on DkPYL3, a member of the ABA receptor subfamily Ⅰ in persimmon, which exhibited high expression levels in fruit, particularly during the young fruit and turning stages. Through yeast two-hybrid (Y2H), firefly luciferase complementation imaging (LCI), protein inhibition assays, and RNA-seq techniques, we identified and characterized the DkPYL3 protein, which was found to inhibit the activity of protein phosphatase type 2 C (PP2C). By heterologous overexpressing (OE) persimmon DkPYL3 in tomatoes, we investigated the impact of the DkPYL3 gene on fruit development and ripening. DkPYL3-OE upregulated the expression of genes related to chlorophyll synthesis and development, leading to a significant increase in chlorophyll content in young fruit. Several fruit quality parameters were also affected by DkPYL3 expression, including sugar content, single fruit weight, and photosynthesis rate. Additionally, fruits overexpressing DkPYL3 exhibited earlier ripening and higher levels of carotenoids and flavonoids compared to wild-type fruits. These results demonstrate the pivotal role of DkPYL3 in ABA-mediated young fruit development, ripening onset, and fruit quality in transgenic tomatoes.

Characterization of key aroma compounds of tomato quality under enriched CO2 coupled with water and nitrogen based on E-nose and GC–MS

To investigate the impact of CO2 enrichment coupled with water and nitrogen on the formation of key aroma compounds in tomato quality, researchers characterized tomatoes from two consecutive seasons using electronic nose and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry techniques. The E-nose technique indicated W3C, W1C, W5C, W3S, and W6S being the main sensors distinguishing growth seasons. GC–MS technique identified 51 and 49 typical compounds in spring and autumn, respectively. In spring,1-Octen-3-ol and Benzyl alcohol were mainly affected by CO2, followed by I. In autumn, Hexyl alcohol, Leaf alcohol, (E)-2-Hexen-1-ol and 1-Heptanol are mainly affected by I, followed by N. Cluster analysis identified 28 different tomato aroma substances mainly in floral, grassy, and sweet compounds. Phenylethanol, β-ionone, and (E,E)-2,4-nonadienal had odor activity values exceeding 100 in both seasons. The combined application of 80 % N and 50 % ET at enriched CO2 increased the levels of characteristic volatile organic compounds in tomato.

A vacuolar invertase gene SlVI modulates sugar metabolism and postharvest fruit quality and stress resistance in tomato

Abstract Sugars act as signaling molecules to modulate various growth processes and enhance plant tolerance to various abiotic and biotic stresses. Moreover, sugars contribute to the post-harvest flavor in fleshy fruit crops. To date, the regulation of sugar metabolism and its effect in plant growth, fruit ripening, postharvest quality and stress resistance remains not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the role of tomato gene encoding a vacuolar invertase, hydrolyzing sucrose to glucose and fructose. SlVI is specifically expressed during the tomato fruit ripening process. We found that overexpression of SlVI resulted in increased leaf size and early flowering, while knockout of SlVI led to increased fruit sucrose content, enhanced fruit firmness, and elevated resistance of postharvest fruit to Botrytis cinerea. Moreover, the content of naringenin and total soluble solids was significantly increased in SlVI knockout fruit at postharvest stage. Transcriptome analysis showed a negative feedback regulation triggered by sucrose accumulation in SlVI knockout fruit resulting in a downregulation of BAM3 and AMY2, which are critical for starch degradation. Moreover, genes associated with cell wall, cutin, wax, and flavonoid biosynthesis and pathogen resistance were upregulated in SlVI knockout fruit. Conversely, the expression levels of genes involved in cell wall degradation were decreased in knockout fruit. These results are consistent with the enhanced postharvest quality and resistance. Our findings not only provide new insights into the relationship between tomato fruit sucrose content and postharvest fruit quality, but also suggest new strategies to enhance fruit quality and extend postharvest shelf life.

Effects of Air–Water Interaction on Water Consumption, Fruit Yield, and Quality of Drip-Irrigated Processing Tomatoes

Effects of Air–Water Interaction on Water Consumption, Fruit Yield, and Quality of Drip-Irrigated Processing Tomatoes

Effect of grafting on growth, yield, quality and nutrient uptake in tomato

Effect of grafting on growth, yield, quality and nutrient uptake in tomato

Effect of NAA and GA3 on quality and fruit yield of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill.)

Effect of NAA and GA3 on quality and fruit yield of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill.)