AGRONOMICAL AND QUALITATIVE EVALUATION OF PROCESSING TOMATO CULTIVARS GROWN "IN PIANA DEL SELE"

Twenty-one cvs. suitable for processing into peeled tomatoes, were examined over a four-year period (1989/92). The average productive behaviour and qualitative fruit traits of most cvs showed a diffused flattening towards lower levels. The lack of processing tomato cvs resistant to Pyrenochaeta lycopersici Schn. et Gerl. and CMV and negative seasonal climatic conditions favoured these deseases. The incidence and level of both infections varied from year to year. Several cvs as "HFI 88-049","Ranger","Long Red" and "Italpeel", showed both yield and canned peeled tomato percentage higher than other cvs. While the importance of cv improvement is evident, a more accurate choice of cvs and cultural practices need to be made in order to minimize losses.