Changes in electrolyte efflux pattern in detached and attached tomato fruits in slow and fast ripening varieties

Comparative study was carried out to examine the differences in electrolyte efflux, which indirectly assess the membrane stability, for detached and attached fruits of tomato undergoing ripening in slow and fast ripening varieties. Slow ripening behaviour for fruits of Pusa Gaurav was not characterized by better membrane stability with age of the fruits during storage in comparison with fast ripening fruits of Pusa Ruby. Ripening of fruits attached on the plant also yielded similar results. Further, rate of electrolyte efflux was not influenced by slow or fast ripening behaviour of tomato varieties. Already proposed role of hypothetical “ripening inhibitor substance” from vegetative parts to fruits could not be proved in terms of its role in providing stability to the membrane. Detached fruits (at 8 days after harvest) and attached fruits (at pink stage) of both the varieties showed drastic increase in electrolyte efflux that might be associated with climacteric behaviour. Thus, indicating climacteric pattern of ripening for detached as well as attached fruits in tomato.