Effect of processing methods (heat treatments, cold storages, and hot air drying) on the loss of lycopene content in tomato was studied. It was found that all the processing methods studied significantly caused the loss of lycopene content in tomato (p LT 0.05). The hot air drying of tomato resulted in the greatest loss of lycopene content (87.7 percent loss after drying at 65 deg C for 24 hr). Heat treatments of tomato pulp by pasteurizing at 72 deg C for 10 min showed 36.1 percent loss of lycopene content, while boiling of the pulp at 100 deg C for 1, 2 and 3 hr caused 63.9, 68.9 and 72.8 percent loss, respectively. In addition, heating of tomato pulp in an autoclave at 121 deg C and 15 psi for 15 min resulted in 49.3 percent loss of lycopene content. Cold and frozen storages of tomato pulp caused the lowest loss of lycopene content. About 20.1 percent and 31.1 percent loss were observed for tomato pulp stored at 5+-2 deg C for 15 days and at-10+-2 deg C for 4 weeks, respectively.

Severe wilt symptoms similar to bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum were observed in tomato, hot pepper, eggplant, potato, perilla, sesame, and sunflower in 2000 and 2001 in Korea. From diseased crops at 65 different locations, we obtained 106 isolates that produced green pigment on CPG medium; 36 were isolated from discolored rice panicles. The causal pathogen was identified as Burkholderia glumae based on its biochemical characteristics, fatty acid methyl ester analysis, and 16S rRNA gene sequence. Nine representative isolates produced toxoflavin, as determined by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry using a direct inlet system and TLC analyses, and caused bacterial wilt on tomato, sesame, perilla, eggplant, and hot pepper. However, BGR12, a wild-type isolate lacking toxoflavin production and toxoflavin-deficient mutants generated by Tn5lacZ failed to cause bacterial wilt on those five field crops. Cells of B. glumae and synthetic toxoflavin caused wilt symptoms on field crops, demonstrating a lack of host specificity. Synthetic toxoflavin caused wilt symptoms on tomato, sesame, perilla, eggplant, and hot pepper at 10 μg/ml concentration 1 day after treatment. This is the first report of bacterial wilt on various crops caused by B. glumae, and our results clearly demonstrate that toxoflavin is a key factor in wilt symptom development.

The state of Michoacan is one of the main fresh pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) producers in Mexico. During the last 5 years, pepper-producing areas in the state have become unproductive due to root-rotting pathogens, mainly Phytophthora capsici Leonian. Growers trying to overcome losses have increased tomato production in areas previously used for pepper production. Field-grown tomato plants with diseased green tomato fruits were observed in Tacambaro, Michoacan, during August 2002. Initially, brown-to-black lesions developed on fruits in contact with soil, followed by infection of the upper fruits in the raceme. Lesions enlarged and dark zonate 'buckeye' bands were formed in the affected area. Diseased fruit turned mushy. Symptoms observed were similar to those described for buckeye rot of tomato (1). Diseased fruit were surface disinfested with 70% ethanol, cut into 0.5-cm slices, and incubated in a moist chamber to induce mycelial colonization. Isolation from mycelial tufts growing through the tomato slice was performed 3 days later, and mycelia was transferred to PARP selective medium (corn meal agar (CMA) plus ampicillin, pimaricin, rifampicin, and pentachloronitrobenzene). P. capsici was consistently isolated from diseased tomato fruits. Oomycete identification was based on sporangial and gametangial characteristics of cultures grown on CMA (1). Sporangia microscopically observed were spherical, broadly ellipsoid or obovoid with one papilla (occasionally two papillae), and deciduous with a long pedicel. Chlamydospores were not present (2). The isolates were heterothallic, and oogonia with amphigynous antheridia were observed in pairings with A1 and A2 isolates of P. capsici. Three isolates were A1 and two isolates were A2. To confirm pathogenicity, two experiments were performed using 20 healthy unwounded green tomatoes. One isolate of each mating type was tested. Isolates were grown for 5 days on CMA, and fruits were inoculated by placing P. capsici in contact with the fruit. Inoculated fruits were kept in a moist chamber at room temperature (17 to 20°C). Initial symptoms in the form of brown-to-black lesions appeared 24 h after inoculation. One week after inoculation, symptoms were similar to those observed in field-grown plants, and P. capsici was recovered from the margins of the diseased tissue. All inoculated fruits rotted. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. capsici causing buckeye rot on tomato in Michoacan and of the presence of both mating types in the area.

Studies were carried out to investigate the morphological features of tomato and brinjal at different Cr6+ concentrations. Chromium caused reduction in root length, shoot length and decreased number of branches. Number of stomata and epidermal cells decreased with increasing level of chromium both in tomato and brinjal except on lower side of leaf in tomato. Number of trichomes increased and size of trichomes and stomata decreased. Deformed and less differentiated stomata were frequently present in the treated plants. There was reduction in leaf area, width of primary vein, secondary vein and areoles.

In the southwest of Slovakia, tomato is grown as a field plant for the production of juice and paste. Orobanche ramosa L. parasitization was found to affect tomato plants. In 2002-2003, tomato plants parasitized by O. ramosa and non-parasitized plants were compared one month before harvest of fruits. The percentage of tomato plants attacked by O. ramosa in two selected fields was 69% in 2002 and 75% in 2003. In 2003, the tomato field was regularly irrigated. The average number of O. ramosa sprouts per parasitized tomato plant was 9.54 in 2002 and 19.83 in 2003. The average number of fruits per non-parasitized tomato plant was 41.78 and 59.91 in 2002 and 2003, respectively, while that of fruits per parasitized plant was 16.85 in 2002 and 32.06 in 2003. Mathematical calculation showed that there was an equivalent of 37.93 (2002) or 77.68 (2003) fruits with a diameter of 3 cm per non-parasitized plant and 17.31 (2002) or 43.94 (2003) fruits of the same diameter per parasitized plant. A decrease in the yield of tomato plants caused by O. ramosa parasitization was calculated to be 53.36% (2002) and 43.44% (2003). The yield of tomato fruits per parasitized plant did not correlate with the number of O. ramosa shoots.

Possibilities of biological control were investigated by the use of some antagonists for controlling Erwinia chrysanthemi, the causal agent of soft rot on tomato. Seventy-one candidate antagonists were isolated from tomato rhizosphere in Adana and Mersin sites in Turkey and the remaining seven isolates were obtained from Plant Protection Department in Israel. In petri dishes studies, 14 isolates inhibited E. chrysanthemi's growth. Laboratory assays for suppression of soft rot development on potato slices were carried out using all candidate antagonists and 16 isolates prevented development of symptoms of soft rot caused by E. chrysanthemi. Thirteen out of 16 antagonist isolates, which prevented the development of the pathogen on potato slices, were chosen for further tests. Their abilities to prevent the disease development were investigated on young tomato seedlings in climate room conditions. Eight out of 13 selected isolates reduced the disease development between 89% and 33%. Greenhouse experiments were carried out using five selected antagonists on tomato plants. One of the antagonists provided a good level (74% protection) on tomato plants against E. chrysanthemi in the greenhouse experiments. The present study is the first report on the efficiency of potential biocontrol agents against tomato bacterial pathogens in Turkey.

The purpose of the presented six year research to expand the knowledge on all aspects of glasshouse tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) defense strategies to the carmine spider mite - CSM (Tetranychus cinnabarinus). The study explained: which type of mechanism of the constitutive resistance is functioning in tomato plants, whether the level of such resistance can determine the intensity of changes induced by CSM feeding on tomato cultivars chosen for the study and whether changes caused in the damaged parts (CSM-infested leaves, local changes) may also affect the response of plant organs not exposed to pest activity (uninfested leaves of infested plant) indicating the existence of included (systemic) resistance

Economical losses due to mechanical damages are of major concern in practical harvest and transport processes for industrial tomatoes in Hungary. An experimental analysis of the fruit damage and influencing factors during combine harvest and road transport to the processing plant showed an accumulating effect of mechanical load on fruit damage. During combine harvest, numerous mechanical impacts (average force amplitudes between 30 and 70 N) on fruit occurred with resulting damage degree of 5 to 15 weight-% depending on fruit maturity stage. During two hours road transport, there were a static mechanical load (about 44 N) in the lower fruit layers of tomato bulk due to filling height of about 1.3 m. Additional vibrations with relatively small amplitude (peak values between 9 and 14 N) were excited by uneven road surface (roughness, potholes) as well as by truck accelerations. In general, no significant correlations were found between tri-axial accelerations of truck and mechanical loads on tomato fruits during transport. Tomato damage after transport depended strongly on mechanical pre-load due to harvest. When carefully hand-picked tomato fruits were transported by truck, then severe damages up to 4 weight-% were caused. However, the damage degree was appreciably higher, when pre-loaded tomatoes were used. A mechanical pre-load on hand-picked tomatoes by a single drop from 1 m onto wooden plate caused up to 7 weight-% severe damage. After transport, severe damage was increased to more than 30 weight-% of tomatoes. Combined effect of mechanical harvest and bulk height during transport leaded to high mechanical load and damage of tomato fruit.

Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici, and Verticillium wilt, caused by either Verticillium albo-atrum or Verticillium dahliae, are devastating diseases of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) found worldwide. Monitoring is the cornerstone of integrated pest management of any disease. The lack of rapid, accurate, and reliable means by which plant pathogens can be detected and identified is one of the main limitations in integrated disease management. In this paper, we describe the development of a molecular detection system, based on DNA array technology, for rapid and efficient detection of these vascular wilt pathogens. We show the utility of this array for the sensitive detection of these pathogens from complex substrates like soil, plant tissues and irrigation water, and samples that are collected by tomato growers in their greenhouses.

Thirteen tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) genotypes were subjected to salt treatment under hydroponics and their responses monitored in a set of two experiments with the objective of advancing them as potential salt tolerant tomato scion and/or rootstocks. Salt applications ranged from 0 to 2% NaCl, with the resultant EC values of 1.4 to 37 dS m-1, respectively. Genotypes were cultured in the experimental solutions for up to four weeks in the greenhouse. Significant genotypic and/or salt treatment effects were registered on plant height, leaf green meter value and area, dry matter yield, Na+ and Cl- accumulation in tomato tissues. Salt treatment at 2% NaCl stimulated chlorophyll production, but caused severe depression on dry matter yield and leaf area. Some tomato genotypes consistently showed superior biological activity at higher salinity and others exhibited greater shift in the shoot:root ratio (from 8:1 to 5:1 for 'First'), based on dry matter biomass production thus displaying relatively greater adaptation to salt stress. Two tomato genotypes ('Siozawa' and 'Gambaru Ne-3') displayed superior performance.