The Simultaneous Effect of Water Supply and Genotype on Yield Quantity, Antioxidants Content and Composition of Processing Tomatoes

Abstract

An open field experiment was carried out two years, in order to study the simultaneous effect of water supply and examined varieties on the yield parameters (marketable yield, Brix and °Brix yield) and main antioxidant components (carotenoids, mainly lycopene, phenolic compounds and tocopherols) in two different type of processing tomatoes. It was conducted in the Experimental Farms of the Institute of Horticulture at Szent István University, Gödöllő, Hungary. ‘Brixsol’ F1 (normal average fruit weight) and ‘Strombolino’ F1 (cherry type) varieties were used. Climatic conditions were significantly different in the two seasons. Increasing the water supply increased fruit yield but reduced antioxidants of individual fruits, by inducing more and larger fruits, and by its dilution effects. We have measured significantly higher carotenoids and polyphenols content by processing cherry type hybrid ‘Strombolino’ F1. In general, we can state that irrigation decreased (most cases significantly) carotenoids, polyphenol and tocopherol concentrations in tomato fruits.