Water loss contributes to acceleration of postharvest senescence of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Ten cultivars representing two fruit types were studied. Fruit were stored at 25ºC and 75% relative humidity. Physical characteristics were examined to determine relationships between physical properties and water loss rate in tomato fruit. Water loss rate increased almost linearly with storage time and was different for each cultivar. When the vapour pressure deficit was increased the fruit water loss rate was affected among cultivars. Water loss rate was positively correlated with initial fruit water content. An increase in the surface are a to volume of fruit may explain the differences in water loss that was observed between cultivars. The cuticle thickness did not influence the differences in the fruit water loss during storage. However, it was observed the existence of a positive correlation between Surface Area of the Peduncle Scar to Fruit Surface Area ratio and water loss of the tomato fruit.

13-25