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

Abstract

Tomato is a popular and extensively cultivated vegetable among the economically promising commodities in the horticulture sector in Kenya. It provides a wide variety of nutrients with many health-related benefits.   This study investigated the effect of integration of pruning and earthing up on postharvest. The experiments were carried out in a split-plot arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and in CRD for both field and laboratory work respectively. Fruit yield data was taken after each harvest. The results from the analysis of variance for the effect of factors (earthing up and pruning system) and their combined effect showed that there was a significant effect on the average weight loss percentage and total soluble solids in both cultivations. The treatments had a significant effect on the average weight loss percentage, total soluble solids, and fruit firmness in both cultivations. The highest fruit weight loss percentages were recorded from all stem pruning system with no earthing up. 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. The highest total soluble solids (TSS) percentage 6.09 % was recorded in both cultivations under a single stem pruning system and earthing up to 30 cm.  To improve tomato postharvest, farmers are encouraged to consider triple stem pruning system in combination with earthing up to level 30 cm.