Effect of pre-harvest applications of organic manure and calcium chloride on the storability of tomato fruits

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of eggshell-based manure (EBM), calcium chloride (CaCl₂), and their combined application in preventing food wastage. Tomato (cv. Tropimech) plants were subjected to seven pre-harvest treatments regimes. Treatments consisted of one level of control, two levels of EBM (0.83 and 1.7 ton ha⁻¹), two levels of CaCl₂ (0.08 and 0.17 ton ha⁻¹), and two levels of combined treatment of EBM and CaCl₂ (0.91 and 1.87 ton ha⁻¹). The tomato fruits were harvested at the red maturity stage, and some of their physical, mechanical, textural and biochemical qualities were determined according to standard procedures. All the parameters were investigated at 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 storage days. Results obtained showed that the treatment options had a significant (p ≤ 0.05) effect on all the parameters evaluated. Irrespective of the treatment concentration, the results revealed that combined treatment was a better treatment option compared to the single treatment option. Apart from the skin firmness, physiological weight loss and spoilage rate, the fruits produced with combined treatment had better physical, mechanical, textural and biochemical properties throughout the storage period. It was observed that fruits produced with CaCl₂ experienced the highest skin firmness, lowest physiological weight loss and minimum spoilage; fruits produced with EBM exhibited the maximum physiological weight loss, highest spoilage rate and minimum skin firmness. This study results will be useful to agricultural engineers on the best pre-harvest treatment option to adopt, to produce tomato fruits with better engineering qualities, hence minimizing food wastage.