Ripening characteristics of light irradiated tomatoes

Red color development in breaker stage tomatoes was accelerated by 3 min red (R) irradiation and delayed by 3 min far-red (FR) irradiation during the first 4 days of ripening. The effects were reversible and color development effective whether the interval between R and FR treatments was 1 day or 2 days. Firmness values of tomatoes irradiated with R were lower than those irradiated with FR, treated with ethylene, or stored in darkness. Light irradiation had the greatest effect on color development in tomatoes irradiated at the breaker and turning stages of maturity compared to those irradiated at the pink and light red stages