Functional Quality of Improved Tomato Genotypes Grown in Open Field and in Plastic Tunnel under Organic Farming

Otilia Cristina Murariu, Creola Brezeanu, Carmenica Doina Jităreanu, Teodor Robu, Liviu Mihai Irimia, Alina Elena Trofin, Lorena-Diana Popa, Vasile Stoleru, Florin Murariu and Petre Marian Brezeanu
Additional contact information
Otilia Cristina Murariu: Department of Plant Science, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” University of Life Sciences, 3 M. Sadoveanu Alley, 700490 Iaşi, Romania
Creola Brezeanu: Vegetable Research Development Station, 220 Barlad Street, 600388 Bacau, Romania
Carmenica Doina Jităreanu: Department of Plant Science, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” University of Life Sciences, 3 M. Sadoveanu Alley, 700490 Iaşi, Romania
Teodor Robu: Department of Plant Science, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” University of Life Sciences, 3 M. Sadoveanu Alley, 700490 Iaşi, Romania
Liviu Mihai Irimia: Department of Horticultural Technologies, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” University of Life Sciences, 3 M. Sadoveanu Alley, 700490 Iaşi, Romania
Alina Elena Trofin: Department of Exact Science, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” University of Life Sciences, 3 M. Sadoveanu Alley, 700490 Iaşi, Romania
Lorena-Diana Popa: Department of Horticultural Technologies, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” University of Life Sciences, 3 M. Sadoveanu Alley, 700490 Iaşi, Romania
Vasile Stoleru: Department of Horticultural Technologies, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” University of Life Sciences, 3 M. Sadoveanu Alley, 700490 Iaşi, Romania
Florin Murariu: Department of Agroeconomy, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” University of Life Sciences, 3 M. Sadoveanu Alley, 700490 Iaşi, Romania
Petre Marian Brezeanu: Vegetable Research Development Station, 220 Barlad Street, 600388 Bacau, Romania

Agriculture, 2021, vol. 11, issue 7, 1-15

Abstract: In response to urgent demand to raise awareness of the nutritional and health benefits of tomato consumption and to advocate for healthy diets through increased sustainable production and consumption of fruits and vegetables, this study is intended to promote a healthy and balanced lifestyle, sharing the best practices of production and consumption. The aim of this research was to compare the effects of the growing system (field vs. plastic tunnel) and of genotype characteristics for organic improved tomato genotypes. The research was carried out in the 2019 and 2020 years on eight improved tomato genotypes. The results showed that the ascorbic acid content presented higher values for organic tomatoes cultivated in the field for all genotypes studied, with an upper limit of 18.57 mg·100 g −1 FW. In contrast, the content in β-carotene and lycopene showed higher values for genotypes grown under plastic tunnel conditions. Significant statistical differences were noticed concerning the mean values of all genotypes according to cultivation conditions (field vs. plastic tunnel) for most parameters excepting total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), maturity index (MI) and flavor index (FI). This highlights the major importance of the selection of some genotypes of tomatoes that respond positively to the organic cultivation system in terms of the presence of the antioxidants compounds (vitamin C, lycopene, and carotene) in representative quantities. Genotype 3 is highlighted by the highest content in carotene (7.4 mg·100 g − 1 F.W.) and lycopene (8.4 mg·100 g − 1 F.W.) and genotype 5 by the highest content in vitamin C (16.8 mg·100 g − 1 F.W.). The results of the study suggest that by applying appropriate techniques for growing organic tomatoes in the plastic tunnel system, the antioxidant substrate can be optimized compared to the results obtained for the field system.

Keywords: ecological system; Solanum Lycopersicum L.; chemical compounds; functional quality; lycopene (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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