Earthing up and Pruning Systems on Post-Harvest Quality of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicon)

Abstract

This study looked into the effects of earthing up and pruning systems on the post-harvest quality of tomato. For both the field and laboratory studies, the tests were conducted in split-plots set up in randomized complete block design (RCBD) and controlled random field (CRD), respectively. Data on fruit yield was collected following each harvest. The average weight loss % and total soluble solids in both cultivations were significantly affected by the factors (earthing up and pruning system) as determined by the findings of the analysis of variance for those factors' individual and combined effects. The average weight loss %, total soluble solids, and fruit firmness in both cultivations were significantly impacted by the treatments. The systems with all stem trimming and no earthing up demonstrated the highest fruit weight loss percentages. The highest fruit firmness (3.41 N mm-1 in cultivation 1 and 3.24 N mm-1 in cultivation 2) was recorded from a single stem pruning system and earthing up to 30 cm. 6.09 % was recorded.

The cultivations with the highest total soluble solids (TSS) percentages used a single stem pruning strategy and up to 30 cm of earthing. Farmers are urged to think about using a triple stem pruning system in conjunction with 30 cm of earthing to optimize tomato postharvest.