Effect of high temperature on fruit quality parameters of contrasting tomato genotypes

Not AvailableThe study was undertaken to evaluate the fruit quality parameters of six contrasting tomato genotypes including three susceptible (Arka Abha, IIHR-2627 and IIHR-2914) and three tolerant (IIHR-2202, IIHR-2745 and IIHR-2841) to high temperature stress. After flower initiation, tomato genotypes were grown under polytunnel to expose them to high temperature (40±2°C) till the time of harvesting. Uniformly ripen healthy fruits were harvested and analyzed for fruit quality parameters comprises total phenols, total flavonoids, antioxidant capacity in terms of FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Potential) and DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), total carotenoids, lycopene, total sugars, vitamin C, Total Soluble Solids (TSS) and Titrable Acidity (TA). Results revealed that there were significant differences between the genotypes in tomato fruit quality parameters. High temperature reduced total carotenoids and lycopene content in tomato fruits and it was decreased significantly in Arka Abha and IIHR-2914 compared to other genotypes. IIHR-2202 recorded very high antioxidant capacity in terms of FRAP, DPPH radical scavenging ability under high temperature stress. TA and TSS increased significantly in all the genotypes under high temperature stress. Tolerant genotypes recorded higher total phenols and total flavonoids content both under control and high temperature stress conditions. Genotypic variations were observed in the above stated biochemical parameters to high temperature stress. Based on these results, two genotypes namely IIHR-2841 and IIHR-2202 were found to be good at maintaining the all quality parameters under high temperature stress compared to Arka Abha and IIHR-2914.Not Availabl