Journal of Food Processing & Technology

Abstract

Characterization of Determinate Tomato Hybrids: Search for Better Processing Qualities

Arup Chattopadhyay, IVI Chakraborty and Wasim Siddique

Thirty-one determinate tomato hybrids developed by both public and private sectors in India over the years were characterized in order to select the most appropriate hybrids for processing purpose. The performance of each hybrid was evaluated using certain physical and chemical indices. Most quality indices showed significant differences between hybrids, although their values remained in the typical ranges for processing tomatoes. In our study, two pear shaped private bred hybrids (BSS-423; TH-1359) qualified all the physico-chemical characteristics required for processing. However, three round shaped public (BCTH-62 and BCTH-4) and private (Vijay Lakshmi) bred hybrids also showed great promise for requisite qualification. The promising hybrids also showed high yield potential (> 60.0 t/ha) which is the general acceptance criteria among the farmers. The correlation study indicates some significant positive relationship between polar diameter and pericarp thickness, equatorial diameter and locule number, titratable acidity and vitamin C content, and lycopene and total carotenoids content of the fruit. The data generated in this study is of equal significance for the growers as well as for the tomato processors in the long run.