Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Elpida
Odors Taste
Mouth feeling
Te
x t
ure
Sweet
Ov
e
rall
150
100
100
Ty pic al
Sour
100
Ty pic al
Fruity
50
50
50
Tas t eles s
0
Fruity
0
0
Unpleasant
Sweety
Mouldy
Greeny
Juicy
Gummy
Fermented
Greeny
Fermented
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Organic production
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Conventional production
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In previous studies, strong positive correlation has been observed between trained panel
response of 'sweetness' and reducing sugar and total soluble solids content [70]. Both 'tomato-
like' and 'fruity' were positively correlated to acidity and negatively correlated to soluble solids
in aroma plus taste trials, but not in the taste followed by aroma trials. A possible explanation
in the lack of correlations with many of these descriptors is that there was little difference
between these treatments in the lines selected. It is clear that evaluating for taste plus aroma
was more sensitive than evaluating for aroma plus taste. It would however be impulsive to
conclude that either production system is superior to the other with respect to healthy or
nutritional composition [71].
The fruit quality, in terms of taste and nutritional value, did not differ significantly between
tomatoes grown in organic or conventional systems. It can take a number of years for soil
nutrients to reach optimal levels using organic fertilisers and nutrient availability in the organic
systems had probably not been fully established in the three years of the experiments.
However, the type of tomato was more important in determining fruit quality than the type
of cropping system: the older variety produced tomatoes with the highest quality index
compared with the modern cultivars, implying there is a trade-off between tomato quality and
yield [72]. If the aim of organic systems is to produce fruit of superior quality, it is suggested
that old cultivars could be used to develop new tomato cultivars adapted for organic cultiva‐
tion rather than for conventional systems.
9. Heavy metals
Some heavy metals at low doses are essential micronutrients for plants, but in higher doses
they may cause metabolic disorders and growth inhibition for most of the plants species [73].
Among the contaminants found in vegetables, heavy metals may reach different levels
depending on their content in the soil and the type of fertilization used [73]. For this reason
the type of farming techniques can affect the heavy metal content of tomatoes. Both organic
