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Grading of cherry tomatoes based on fruit size and weight

The purpose of this experiment was to propose a grading system for cherry tomatoes based on fruit size and weight. The experiment was carried out at Jaboticabal, São Paulo State, Brazil. Fruits of cherry tomatoes, cultivar Sindy, harvested out of 60 plants grown in a greenhouse were evaluated. To separate fruits of different sizes, a five plastic box system developed. In this system, the bottom of four boxes drilled with holes of 20; 25; 30, and 35 mm of diameter. The fifth box had no holes and was used as a collector box. Fruits retained in each of the boxes were counted and weighed. The average weight of the fruits was calculated for each class size. Fruit frequency in each class varied during the harvest period. The percentage of fruits was as follows: 5% of giant fruits, 22% of large fruits, 42% of medium fruits, 20% for small fruits, and 11% of discard. There was a linear correlation between the fruit weight (W) and diameter (D) (W = 1.05 D - 14.71, R** = 0.99, p<0.01). The system used was efficient for grading cherry tomatoes by means of associating fruit diameter and weight. In addition, it was practical and simple.

Lycopersicon esculentum; grading; post-harvest


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