Work

Maturation, Fruit Size, and Yield of Tomatoes Treated Before Harvest with (2-Chloroethyl)phosphonic Acid1

Year: 1971

Type: article

Abstract: In a 2-year field study, direct-seeded and transplanted tomato cvs. (Heinz 1350, Heinz 1439, Manalucie, Roma) were treated with (2-chloroethyl)phosphonic acid (ethephon) when 10% of the fruit was pink. Ethephon promoted ripening when it was applied to the leaves only, to the fruit only or to the entire plant. Ethephon induced yellowing of the leaves, accelerated ripening 10 days, and concentrated the bulk of the total yield into this harvest. Ethephon induced smaller immature fruit to mature and ripen and thus reduced the average individual fruit weight of harvestable fruit from the large fruited ‘Manalucie’ but not other cultivars.

Source: Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science

DOI: 10.21273/jashs.96.5.564

Authors: Walter E. Splittstoesser, Joseph S. Vandemark

Institution: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Language: English

Topic: Postharvest Quality and Shelf Life Management

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,500