Effect of pre-harvest harpin and modified atmosphere packaging on quality of cherry tomato cultivars "Alona" and "Cluster"

Abstract

Purpose - The aim of this research is to determine the effects of pre-harvest harpin (H) and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on the storage and fruit quality of cherry tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cvs. "Alona" and "Cluster"). Design/methodology/approach - H was used at 50 g 100 1-1 concentration. First application was done on the seedlings in 3-4 leaf stages and the other four applications were repeated at 20-day intervals. Then, treated and untreated fruits were stored in plastic film materials with various O2 and CO2 permeabilities. Findings - Weight loss was significantly higher in tomatoes stored under normal atmosphere (NA) compared to MAP. Initial total soluble solids of 3-4 percent increased to 7-9 percent in without H (WH) + NA. Firmness was measured as 0.44 ("Alona") and 1.20 kg ("Cluster") in H + NA and 0.17 ("Alona") and 0.30 kg ("Cluster") in WH + NA at the end of storage. The acidity and ascorbic acid contents of tomatoes decreased during storage. Between H and WH treatments the levels of lycopene and beta-carotene were different significantly. At the end of the study, H gave successful results in both cultivars. This success was even higher especially when the H was combined with MAP. This combination slowed down the changes in TSS, firmness values. Therefore, H + 50 mu PE (polyethylene) treatment was effective with regard to delaying the maturity along the storage and fruit quality in cherry tomatoes. Originality/value - He is a plant activator. It is the first bacterial hypersensitive response (HR)-elicitor characterized. Effectiveness of H is evaluated on quality changes in treated cherry tomato fruits.