Quality classification of tomato fruits

The extensive use of tomatoes (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) worldwide for fresh consumption throughout the year calls for the development of highly productive cropping systems characterized by high resource use efficiency. As a result, farmers require yield estimates to assess profitability and resource use efficiency in their crops. Meanwhile, scientists study yield because it reflects the impact of cultural practices (e.g. irrigation, fertilization, grafting, etc.) and environmental factors such as temperature, drought, salt or other abiotic or biotic stressors on crop performance. The harvest of the tomato fruit should begin as soon as the color starts to turn from green to pink or from pink to light red, depending on market demand and transportation distance. For example, when the fruit is destined for a local market, it is harvested at the pink or light red stages. In contrast, when the tomato fruit is destined for export and transportation to distant markets, it is harvested earlier, i.e., as soon as the color starts to turn from green to pink.