ISHS Acta Horticulturae 82: Symposium on Production of Protected Crops in Peat and other Media
STUDIES ON THE QUALITY OF TOMATO FRUIT GROWN IN PEAT AND NUTRIENT SOLUTION MEDIA |
| Authors: | T.R. Gormley, J.P. Egan |
| Abstract:
Tests for acidity, soluble solids (SS), juice conductivity, ascorbic acid, colour, flavour and firmness were carried out on tomato fruit in mid May, June and July. The cultivars tested were Virosa, Curato, Cura, Marcanto, Estrella and Sonato from nutrient solution culture (NSC) and Virosa and Sonato fruit from peat modules (P). Samples from each batch of fruit were tested at time of harvest and after storage for one week at 19–23°C. The results of tests at time of harvest showed that fruit of Cura (NSC) and Sonato (NSC) were most acidic while that of Estrella (NSC) and Virosa (P) had least acid. Fruit of Marcanto (NSC), Cura (NSC) and Sonato (P) had highest SS levels and Virosa (NSC) and Estrella (NSC) the lowest. Fruit grown in peat modules had lower acidity and juice conductivity values, and higher levels of ascorbic acid than those from nutrient solution culture. Colour and firmness values were similar for all samples. Taste panel tests suggested that fruit of Virosa (NSC), Estrella (NSC) and Curato (NSC) were not as well flavoured as those of the other cultivars. The pattern was fairly similar when samples were tested again after storage for one week. The results of these preliminary tests suggest that there are no major differences in composition, colour, flavour and firmness of fruit grown in peat and NSC. | |
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