-
The Effect Of Post-harvest Handling On The Quality And Marketability Of Locally Harvested Tomato
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 3]
Page 1 of 3
-
-
-
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Tomato (Lycopersiconesculentum Mill.) is one of the vegetables with the highest production in the world and its production is increasing all over the world. Tomato is rich in minerals, vitamins, essential amino acids, sugars and dietary fibers (Ayandiji et al., 2011). World tomato production in 2001 was about 105 million tons of fresh fruit from an estimated 3.9 million ha. As it is a relatively short duration crop and gives a high yield, it is economically attractive and the area under cultivation is increasing daily. Tomato belongs to the Solanaceae family. This family also includes other well-known species, such as potato, tobacco, peppers and eggplant. Tomatoes contribute to a healthy, well-balanced diet. They are rich in minerals, vitamins, essential amino acids, sugars and dietary fibres. Tomato contains much vitamin B and C, iron and phosphorus. Tomato fruits are consumed fresh in salads or cooked in sauces, soup and meat or fish dishes. They can be processed into purées, juices and ketchup. Canned and dried tomatoes are economically important processed products. Tomato is an annual plant, which can reach a height of over two metres. In South America, however, the same plants can be harvested for several years in succession. The first harvest is possible 45-55 days after flowering, or 90-120 days after sowing. The shape of the fruit differs per cultivar. The colour ranges from yellow to red. In Ethiopia, tomato is one the important and widely grown vegetable crops. Both in rainy and dry seasons for their fruits by smallholder farmers and commercial state and private farm in Ethiopia (Ambecha et al.,2012;MoA,2013;AVRDC,2014).It is also a source of basic raw material required for fresh consumption and local processing industry for the production of processed Tomato like Tomato paste, Tomato juice and etc.(EIA,2008). Lemma et al. (2003) indicated that the total production of Tomato in Ethiopia has shown market increase ,indicating that it has became the most profitable crop providing a higher income to small scale farmers compared to other vegetable crops.However,average yield of Tomato in Ethiopia is low,ranging from 6.5-24 metric ton/ha(Ambecha et al.,2012)as compared with average yields of 51,41,36 and 34 metric tonne/ha in America,Europe,Asia and the entire world, respectively (FAOSTAT,2010).The national average of Tomato seed yield under farmers ‘conditions in Ethiopia is also very low, estimated at about 1.2 quintals /ha (Lemma,2002). Seeds are one of the least expensive but most important factors influencing yield potential. Crop seeds contain all the genetic information to determine yield potential, adaptation to environmental conditions, and resistance to insect pest and disease. Increasing agricultural production through the use of high quality seed, among other agricultural inputs, has become essential for providing enough food for rising number of people in the world (Barsa, 2006). Seed produced under controlled condition is likely to be higher yielding and is less likely to harbor pathogen than locally produced seeds (Rice et al., 1990; Barsa, 2006). Seed quality is determined by many factors, principally seed purity and germination. However, many other factors, Such as the variety, presence or absence of seed-borne disease, vigor of the seed, and seed size are important when considering seed purchase. Seed lots that have low germination also are less vigorous due to seed deterioration .As seeds deteriorate,loss of vigor proceeds loss of viability,so seeds with low germination usually will be less vigorous.Hence,in seed lots with poor germination, those seeds that do germinate often produce weakerseedlings with reduced yield potential (Barsa ,2006;Nemati et al.,2010). According to lemma (2002) ,the major production constraints of Tomato production in Ethiopia are shortage of varaties and recommended package of information ,unknown source and poor quality seeds, poor irrigation system, lack of information on soil fertility ,disease and insect pests ,high post-harvest loses, lack of awareness of existing improved technologies and poor marketing system. Supplying of high quality seeds is the basic requirement and it contributes greatly to the success of any crop. Various researchers (Gutterman, 1992; Uniyal et al., 2011) have reported variation in seed quality among population in some plant species to have been attributed to differences in environmental condition of mother-plant. Many cultural practices such as types of nutrient, water supply, and harvesting methods are also believed to be factors influencing both pre- and postharvest quality of tomato (Melkamu, 2008). Many postharvest quality losses are as a result of many pre-harvest factors. Controlling the number of flowers, fruits, or fruit trusses in tomatoes is an effective way of reducing the competition between fruits. Water loss from harvested fruit produce is predominantly caused by the amount of moisture present in the ambient air expressed as relative humidity (Suslow, et al 2009). Respiration and metabolic activities within harvested climacteric fruits like tomatoes are directly related to the temperatures of the ambient environment. High temperatures can hasten the rate of respiration (CO2 production) in harvested or stored fruits products. Seed yield and quality of Tomato is mainly dependent on the variety selected for seed production (George, 1999). A number of improved varieties and other agronomic packages have been recommended to the users to overcome the low productivity and quality of Tomato in the country. According to MoA (2013), Ethiopian National Agricultural System (NARS) has released about 25 Tomato varieties till 2013.
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 3]
Page 1 of 3
-
