Effects of different preharvest treatments on yield and chemical quality of tomato
Haramaya University, College of Agriculture, Department of Plant Science, P.O. Box 138, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, Haramaya University, College of Agriculture, Department of Food Science and Postharvest Technology, P.O. Box 131, Haramaya, Ethiopia
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2008.v10i02.25
Key words: ComCat?, manure, NP fertilization, yield, quality
Abstract: Field experiment was conducted to study effects of preharvest treatment of ComCat? spray, organic manure, NP fertilization and the combinations of ComCat? with the two forms of fertilizers on yield and chemical quality of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). Total and marketable yields were significantly influenced by the preharvest treatements. The result showed that the use of ComCat? and its combination with organic manure gave the highest total yield of 58.5 and 55.8 t ha-1, respectively. At harvest, 94 and 93% of tomatoes subjected to preharvest ComCat? and ComCat? plus organic manure treatment were marketable, respectively. The chemical quality parameters tested such as total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, reducing sugar and total sugar were significantly (P<0.01) affected by the preharvest treatments. The study clearly demonstrated the importance of integerated agro-technology in order to simultaneously improve the yield and quality of tomatoes.
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