ISHS Acta Horticulturae 542: VII International Symposium on the Processing Tomato
WHOLE-PEEL PROCESSING TOMATO VARIETIES SUITABLE FOR MECHANICAL HARVESTING |
| Authors: | J.I. Macua, J. Garnica, I. Lahoz |
| Keywords: | Whole-peel tomato, mechanical harvesting, industrial quality |
| Abstract:
Tomato whole-peel products account for 50% of the total crop production in Navarre, Spain. Until 1995, this crop was harvested by hand, mostly in two stages. Since 1996, the difficulties involved in finding hired hands for harvesting work has led to mechanical harvesting techniques in some fields, although neither the fields nor the crops were designed for this practice. A study of thirteen varieties is presented here, of which five (Ercole, ISI-5086, Galeón, Soto, and Peralta) were known to local growers as manual-harvest varieties, and eight were new varieties (Nautilus, New Fancypeel 27, PSI-24018, Oxford, Coimbra, EX678, Olinda and T-9803) considered suitable for this type of production. The yield results proved satisfactory, averaging 88% commercial red, 8% green, and 5% overripe, with clear differences between varieties: Ercole, Galeón, PSI-24018, and Peralta stood out for their high yield. Fruit weights ranged from 60 to 75 g, within the limits demanded by the industry. Two varieties, Nautilus at 78.3 g and Peralta at 81.2 g, were above the desirable limit. As for hardness and resistance to knocks, Oxford, Peralta, Coimbra, and Galeón were noteworthy. In industrial quality terms, the °Brix figures were low (average 4.86). Five varieties broke the 5° mark: EX678, New Fancypeel 27, Olinda, Soto, and T-9803. Galeón (4.27) was the only variety under 4.5. The average pH value was 4.43, with high uniformity among the varieties. The average color (a/b value) was 2.21, with a range of 1.83–2.51. In conclusion, Ercole, Galeón, and Peralta are recommended for cultivation in Navarre, while Oxford and PSI-24018 should be tested further. | |
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