THE EFFECT OF DELAYED HARVEST ON THE YIELD AND QUALITY OF PROCESSING TOMATOES

This research was conducted to determine the effects of delaying of harvest dates on yield and some fruit quality criteria (% brix, pH, colour (a/b) and % mould) of 3 tomato varieties (Shasta, Alta and Rio grande) which were commonly produced for processing in Turkey. Optimum harvest dates were determined for each variety when 50% of their fruits became matured and later, the fruits were harvested as from the beginning of these dates with 3 days intervals delayed at 6 different period. At the first harvest, the yield significantly decreased after the third harvest period delayed and the same trend was observed at the second harvest after the first harvest period postponed. Some quality criterias which were investigated showed that brix, pH and colour rates increased with delaying of harvest. However, the delay caused conspicuous increases in mould percentages.