EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE AND CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE ON THE STORAGE OF FRUIT FROM LONG-LIFE TOMATOES

摘要

In the years 2003-2005, experiments were carried out, the aim of which was to determine the suitability for storage of greenhouse LSL (long shelf life) tomato cultivars: Habana F_1, Zafiro F_1 Strada FI, AntineaF_1, Graziella F_1, Durinta F_1, KriptonFI, and one control cultivar Faustine F_1, grown on stakes in field conditions. In the first part of the experiment, red and breaker fruits of the tomato cultivars were stored in normal air at 12.5 deg C and 20 deg C. After 4 weeks of storing the LSL tomato fruits, the temperature of 12.5 deg C was found to be the more favourable one. Breaker fruits of the cultivars Habana F_1 and Strada F_1 stored the best, with those of Faustine F_1 also keeping relatively well, as the resulting market value of thosefruits was high and weight loss small. Fruits of the cultivars Durinta F_1 and Antinea F_1 were not suitable for storage over periods longer than 2-3 weeks because they were severely affected by grey mould. In the second part of the experiment, mature green fruits of three cultivars: FaustineF_1, Habana F_1 and Strada F_1, were stored in controlled atmospheres containing: 5% CO_2 - 3% CO_2, 2.5% CO_2 - 3% CO_2, 0% CO_2 - 2% CO_2, for a period of 8 weeks at a temperature of 12.5 deg C. For comparison, fruits of the same cultivars were also stored at 12.5 deg C in normal air. In 2004, the cultivar Habana FI had the smallest weight loss at all the gaseous concentrations used, and the best fruit quality after further storage in air at 20 deg C. In the years 2003 and 2005, it was found that, respectively, 50% and 80% of the fruits of all the cultivars had been affected by grey mould while in storage under the controlled atmosphere conditions. Storage life of the cultivars Habana F_1, Strada F_1 andFaustine F_1, whose mature green and breaker fruits were kept at 12.5 deg C in air, was also compared. It was found that mature green fruits were characterized by smaller weight loss, a higher market value and better storage life in comparison with breaker fruits.