Foliar fertilizers with Ca prolong the firmness of Sweet Grape tomatoes during the post-harvest period

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the post-harvest quality of Sweet Grape tomatoes, with and without nutritional deficiency, subjected to sources and frequency of application of foliar fertilizers based on Ca. Two experiments were conducted with storage of the fruit in different climate chambers: 25 and 11 ºC. The experiments were conducted in a randomized block design with subdivided plots. The Ca sources used via foliar fertilization were allocated to the plots: calcium chloride and calcium acetate at a concentration of 0.3% Ca, and deionized water. In the sub-plots the frequencies of foliar fertilizer application (7 or 14 days) were allocated. The sub-sub-plots received the periods of fruit evaluation during storage (0, 9, 18, and 27 days). In each experiment and evaluation period, firmness, pH, soluble solids content, and titratable acidity of the fruit were determined. In both plants that received adequate and low Ca supply in the nutrient solution. Foliar fertilizer applications increased initial fruit firmness, regardless of the frequency of application, enabling longer storage time at both temperatures. There were no differences between the treatments in the evaluations referring to the taste of the fruits during the storage periods.