Investigations into variables affecting tomato solids

Lead Applicant: John Zandstra

Research Priority: Production Systems - Plant

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2017/2018

Research Centre: N/A

Research Summary: Some processing tomato contracts in Ontario now include bonuses for higher than average Natural Tomato Soluble Solids (NTSS) and penalties for lower than average NTSS as an incentive for producers to produce more solids.  This can be problematic as factors which influence solids and are controllable by tomato producers are not well understood.  Other than high soil moisture levels close to maturity, which are known to depress NTSS levels, growers are unsure of practices to use to maintain high NTSS levels without affecting tonnage. This project will involve collecting a range of soil, plant, and weather variables from select locations in processing tomato fields and harvesting fruit for NTSS determiation. This data set will be will be analysed through Principal Component Analysis in an attempt to better understand production factors which influence NTSS and are controllable by tomato growers.