Published in Scientific Papers. Series B. Horticulture., Vol. LVII
Written by Elena DELIAN, Adrian CHIRA, Liliana BĂDULESCU, Lenuţa CHIRA
Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is one of the most important vegetable cropsin the world of horticultural economy, being commercially valuable worldwide, both for fresh and for processing markets. In addition, tomato represent a major research plant material, thus results obtained from its study can be applied to other plants of the Solanaceae family. It is a climacteric fruit, with a respiratory peak during their ripening process. Ethylene is one of the most important natural plant hormonethat regulates fruit ripening. Thus, ethylene biosynthesis management, especially during postharvest period allow producers more time for shipment and increase the shelf life of tomato fruit for consumers. Maximum tomato loss in quality and quantity occurs from harvesting to consumption. The problem of loss can be controlled by adapting suitable scientific methods of packing and storage and by establishment properly postharvest management. One of the first and simplest conditions to influence the postharvest production of ethylene refers to the handling practices and storage temperature. Some classical treatments as for instance, postharvest application of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) as one of ethylene action inhibitor is also successfully used. There are also recent functional genomic studies in tomato. Integrating molecular approaches with conventional breeding may enhance fruit quality and could significantly improve the postharvest shelf life of tomato.
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Lycopersicon esculentum
