USE OF ETHYLENE (ETHEPHON) IN UNIFORM RIPENING OF PROCESSING (Lycopersicom esculentum) TOMATOES IN CALIFORNIA

Processing tomatoes in California are one hundred percent machine harvested, therefore, fruit maturity must be above 95% red for picking. The prolonged season due to environmental conditions and tight cannery schedules for processing sometimes does not allow tomatoes enough time to mature by themselves in time to meet contracts. Ripening agents are often utilized to speed up the maturing process slowed down by declining temperature at the end of the summer. Ethephon rates were evaluated on four varieties planted at different times of the year to study the impact of changing environmental conditions and the rate of the maturity agent necessary to induce desired fruit color for harvest.

Variety type, weather conditions, % red fruit, Ethephon rate and method of application were all factors that impacted maturity of tomatoes. Applications of maturing agents did not seem to be necessary under high temperatures. However, ripening agents seem to be needed and necessary under cooler conditions.