EFFECT OF INTRODUCING THE MUTANT RIN ALLELE ON SOME CHARACTERS OF TOMATO FRUITS DURING STORAGE *)

Two tomato lines Cv. Ailsa Craig RIN RIN and its F₁ hybrid 1977A RIN rin were grown in heated glasshouse. Fruits were harvested at breaker stage and stored either at 15 or at 25°C. Ailsa Craig fruits showed a higher values of ripening score, shorter shelf life, increased loss in firmness, and higher content of ACC than in isogenic F₁ hybrid 1977A. Same trend for all characters mentioned above were evident under 25°C storage condition in comparison with 15°C. There were no significant differences in loss in weight, TSS, titratable acidity and vitamin "C" between the two lines.