Effect of Particle Film Technology on temperature, yield and quality of processing tomato

Several scientific researches indicate 32 degrees C as a limit of temperature to inhibit lycopene synthesis and the occurrence of a decay of some qualitative parameters of tomato fruits. In Southern Italy, during 2005, an experimental trial to study the effects of kaolin (Surround(R) WP) treatments on two high lycopene tomato cultivars ('HLY 18' and 'Tiziano'), had been realized. After kaolin applications, that form a white powdery film on vegetations and fruits, the inner temperature of fruits was measured. The main results show that the fruits temperature treated with kaolin were about 3.5 degrees C lower than the control, at midday of the hottest days. Marketable yield of treated crops was 26.0% higher than untreated, probably for a reduction of rotten fruits. Kaolin treatments increased trans-lycopene fruit content on average of 14.0% in respect to the control, while no influence on other qualitative parameters was observed. Finally, kaolin contributed to reduce the pests damages in both cultivars.