Effect of preharvest growth bioregulators on physicochemical quality of saladette tomato

Abstract

Solanum lycopersicum L. is one of the most consumed horticultural products in the world, due to its wide versatility in use (fresh and processed) and high nutraceutical value. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of preharvest spraying of ethephon, calcium prohexadione, iodine and sodium selenite on some physicochemical quality parameters in greenhouse-grown saladette tomato fruits. The experimental design was completely randomized and the evaluated variables were color, weight, equatorial and polar diameter, roundness index, firmness, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA) and lycopene concentration. Individual application of ethephon (1.6 mL∙L) and iodine (5 mL∙L) significantly increased fruit weight (133.71 g) and firmness (3.26 N), with respect to the control (80.36 g and 0.95 N). Fruits that showed the highest TA (0.34 % citric acid) were those sprayed with 125 mg∙L of sodium selenite. On the other hand, the equatorial and polar diameter, TSS and lycopene concentrations, brightness, hue and roundness index did not differ statistically among treatments. Preharvest foliar application of ethephon, iodine and sodium selenite could be considered as an agronomic management alternative in greenhouse tomato production systems.