THINNING INTENSITY AND NUTRIENT SOLUTIONS ON THE QUALITY OF CHERRY TOMATO

The practice of fruit thinning and nutrition are factors that might contribute to increased fruit quality in cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). This research evaluated quality characteristics of cherry tomato fruit grown with Steiner and Castellanos nutrient solutions in combination with two fruit thinning intensities (12 and 16 fruits per cluster). A completely randomized experimental design was used with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. Traits as equatorial diameter, distal diameter, fruit weight, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, firmness, weight loss, shelf life and color (luminosity, hue and chroma) were determined. It was found that fruits of plants irrigated with Steiner nutrient solution had 3 % larger equatorial diameter and 5 % higher fruit weight. In addition, the juice pH, firmness and shelf life increased by 3 to 25 %, and fruits registered the lowest weight losses compared to those produced with the Castellanos solution. However, with the Castellanos solution, the total soluble solids, titratable acidity, luminosity and chroma increased from 6 to 15 %. Regarding fruit thinning, plants with 12 fruits per cluster showed greater equatorial diameter, distal diameter, fruit weight, pH, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, firmness, shelf life, luminosity, hue and chroma up to 16 %.