The effect of growing medium and controlled atmosphere storage on chemical composition of cherry tomatoes

The objectives of the study were to compare the effect of coconut fibre and rockwool in cherry tomato cultivation on chosen quality traits of the fruits and to evaluate the effect of CA storage on quality of the fruits from both growing mediums. The plants of 'Dasher' F₁ cultivar were grown in greenhouse in rockwool and coconut fibre slabs. Drop irrigation system was applied for watering and fertilizing. The fruits were harvested at pink-fruit stage and stored for 3 and 4 weeks at the temperature of 12°C, under gas compositions 3% CO₂ + 3% O₂, 3% CO₂ + 1.5% O₂ and under normal atmosphere. Following quality traits of the fruits were determined directly after harvest and after storage: β-carotene and lycopene contents, total sugars, juice acidity (pH), titrable acidity. Differences in chemical composition between the fruits produced in both growing mediums were insignificant. The lycopene and β-carotene contents increased after storage. The CA stored fruits showed lower lycopene content, but higher sugars content and higher titrable acidity. The β-carotene content was not influenced significantly by storage conditions. Similar relationship was found for stored fruits obtained from plants grown in both growing mediums, so, as regards fruits quality, coconut fibre is equally suitable for cherry tomatoes cultivation as rockwool.