Effect of High-tunnel Production Systems on the Preharvest Losses and Harvest Quality of ‘BHN 589’ and ‘Cherokee Purple’ Tomatoes

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of high-tunnel production on preharvest losses and harvest quality of two tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) cultivars. Our results indicate that using high tunnels for tomato production can reduce the preharvest food losses for this crop compared with open-field production, as indicated by increased productivity and percent marketability during the span of three production seasons. The tomato harvest quality did not differ in terms of physical attributes. However, open-field–grown tomatoes demonstrated a significantly greater antioxidant capacity when compared with the high-tunnel–grown tomatoes.

Keywords

• nutrition
• organic
• polytunnel
• solanum lycopersicum