The influence of tomato varietal selection on the postharvest quality of tomatoes (<em>Solanum lycopersicum</em> L.) grown under protected houses

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is a major vegetable crop grown in Sri Lanka, facing significant postharvest losses that affect profitability. These losses arise from both quantitative and qualitative factors that are influenced by varietal characteristics, cultural practices, and environmental conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of varietal selection on postharvest losses and establish correlations between tomato characteristics and postharvest quality across six commercially important tomato varieties grown in Sri Lanka; “T-245”, “Tomato-1014”, “Red-Bullet”, “King-Kong”, “Padma-108” and “Platinum-701”. The tomatoes were grown in a protected house, and the growth and yield parameters of the selected varieties were assessed. Harvested tomatoes of each variety were categorized according to their marketability, and quality parameters such as weight, color, firmness, and total soluble solids, along with their shelf life, were evaluated at different maturity stages: green, breaker, turning, pink, light-red, and red. The storage quality of the pink stage tomatoes in different varieties was examined. Among the varieties, “Tomato-1014” exhibited the greatest plant height, exceeding “T-245” by 40%, while “T-245” had the highest leaf count, 114% greater than “King-Kong.” Both the “Platinum-701” and “Padma-108” varieties showed a 1:1 flower-to-fruit ratio. “Platinum-701” had the highest fruit yield, overall firmness (6.72N) and superior storage quality, whereas “Tomato-1014” demonstrated the highest flesh firmness (4.73N) and TSS value (5.36°Brix). “Red-Bullet” recorded the longest shelf-life of 18 days. “Platinum-701” and “Red-Bullet” varieties showed comparatively lower susceptibility for diseases. While the relationships between fruit quality parameters, were generally consistent across varieties, firmness of ripened “Platinum-701” and breaker stage “Tomato-1014” were maintained despite fruit ripening, which is potentially beneficial on postharvest handling and storage. These findings emphasize the importance of selecting appropriate tomato varieties tailored to local environmental conditions and market demands to minimize postharvest losses and enhance the economic viability of growers.