Fruit quality and postharvest life of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) grown under saline stress conditions

Abstract

Objective: To determine the post-harvest physiological behavior and quality change of tomato fruit (Solanum lycopersicum L.) grown under saline stress conditions.

Design/methodology/approach: Tomato fruit quality variables (firmness, total soluble solids, titratable acidity and pH), respiration rate and weight loss were compared at harvest time and after storage (seven days at room temperature) of fruit grown under saline stress (adding 250 mM sodium chloride), with respect to fruit non-stressed control.

Results: The tomato fruit grown under saline stress presented higher (p<0.05) total soluble solids (6.92±0.22 °Brix) and titratable acidity (0.39±0.03 %), compared to the control fruit. No significant difference was found in the fruit firmness (13.01 N) or pH (5.86), at harvest time and after storage. Respiration rate decreased in both cases, from 30.77  at harvest time to 17.70   after storage, but weight loss was not affected (11.50 %).

Limitations on study/implications: Soil sampling in the production area, to measure the fruit quality and its post-harvest physiological behavior are needed on a larger scale.

Findings/conclusions: Saline stress increases the total soluble solids and titratable acidity, but does not affect the firmness, pH, weight loss and respiration rate of tomato fruit at harvest time and after storage at room temperature.