The effect of harvesting stage on fruit quality and shelf-life of four tomato cultivars (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill).

After six days of storage at room temperature (24 0 C), the effect of harvesting stage on fruit quality and shelf-life of four local cultivars of tomato (Rendo, Petomech, Cocoa and Power) of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill was investigated at the Department of Horticulture, KNUST. The experimental design adopted was a 4 x 4 x 2 factorial split-plot design; representing the four cultivars, four different ripening stages (Mature Green, 50% ripe, 75% ripe and 95% ripe) and two harvest intervals. Three fruit samples of the individual cultivars selected from each plot at the different ripening stages were evaluated for some quality parameters [fruit water loss(WL), fruit fresh weight (FFW), decay, total soluble solids (TSS), dry matter content (RDM), pericarp thickness (PTK), membrane ion leakage (EL) and fruit firmness (FF)]. The results showed that, Rendo at matured green and 50% ripe stages were outstanding in all the parameters examined, due to its good characteristics such as low water loss, high firmness, low membrane ion leakage and relatively thick pericarp tissue. These results suggest that Rendo could be grown by farmers in even distant areas that have problems with storage facilities, transportation and bad road network since it possesses properties which can prolong its shelf life.