Role of treatment with licorice extract , garlic extract and calcium chloride in controlling the sensitivity of tomato fruits for chilling injuries (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

The experiment was conducted in one of the greenhouses of the Agricultural Research Station , College of Agriculture , University of Basrah ,Karmat Ali site during the growing season of 2015-2016in order to improve the storage behavior of tomato fruits hybrid Nuton . The seedlings were planted in the plastic house on 20/10/2015 and all the processes using in the production of this crop were conducted. water extract of licorice at three concentrations (zero, 2, 4 g .L‾¹) was prepared and the plants were sprayed three times. Fruits were harvested at mature green stage and brought to the laboratory of storage technology, then cleaned and soaked in water extract of garlic with concentration of 4% , calcium chloride solution with concentration of 4% in addition to control treatment (distilled water only) for a period of 10 minutes and left to dry at room temperature. A portion of harvested fruits that sprayed with the water extract of licorice and at the concentrations of (zero, 2, 4 g .L‾¹) left without soaking . All the fruits packed in perforated polyethylene bags (16 hole with a diameter of 5 mm per bag and weighed 2 kg per bag ).Then stored at the temperature of (5°C) for four weeks. Results indicated that the decay percentage, the percentage of weight loss and the percentage of total soluble solids increased while the amount of vitamin C decreased with an increment of storage periods. The lowest percentages of the decay and weight loss and the highest percentage of total soluble solids were in fruits treated with licorice extract as compared with untreated fruits. Fruits treated with garlic extract recorded the lowest percentage of decay, while fruits soaked in 4% calcium chloride solution gave the highest percentage of total soluble solids. Chilling injuries represented in the glass appearance of the fruit and the softness increment of the tissues as well as small patches turn deep yellow in the skin which were clearly appeared at control fruits some hours after storage.

Keywords:

Tomato , chilling injuries , plant extracts , , total soluble solids