ANALYSIS OF SOME IN-TRANSIT POSTHARVEST LOSSES OF FRESH TOMATO FRUITS

• T.O. Olanrewaju

  National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

  Author

• A.A. Wahab

  National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

  Author

• L.O. Durojaiye

  National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

  Author

Postharvest losses of in-transit fresh tomato fruits have been observed to be more pronounced, especially mechanical damage. To assess the nature and extent of some postharvest losses associated with in-transit of fresh tomato fruits, the firmness and bruise area were studied. Three different types of baskets namely plastic, intermediate and conventional baskets were filled with tomatoes and arranged in three different ways inside a Toyota hiace vehicle. A firmness tester that was developed was used to determine the firmness before and after transportation. The bruise area was determined using some mathematical expressions. Results revealed that firmness of the tomato fruits packaged inside the plastic baskets were high, followed by those inside the intermediate baskets while those inside the conventional baskets were very low. It was also observed that tomato fruits inside the plastic baskets have less bruise area when compared to those inside the intermediate and conventional baskets. Plastic baskets are hereby observed to be the best in transporting fresh tomato fruits with minimal postharvest losses incurred. Farmers and marketers are implored to adopt the use of plastic baskets in transporting fresh tomato fruits to reduce postharvest losses and increase income.

1. T.O. Olanrewaju, National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

   National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

2. A.A. Wahab, National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

   National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

3. L.O. Durojaiye, National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

   National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

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