The effect of silicon and boron foliar application on the quality and shelf life of cherry tomatoes

Abstract

Silicon (Si) alone or Si + boron (B) foliar sprays at the maturity stage of light red of the cherry tomato cultivar ‘Unicorn’ were examined to determine the effect on the quality and shelf life. The foliar applications that were utilized in this study were: 20 mM Si alone from silicon dioxide (SiO2), 20 mM Si from SiO2 with 4.85 mM B from boric acid (H3 BO3) and distilled water as a control substance. The Si + B treatment resulted in the lowest respiration and ethylene production as recorded. The Si + B treated tomato fruits attained and retained the highest firmness as noted. Compared with the control, the Si + B treated fruits had less-soluble solids, higher titratable acidity, higher vitamin C content, and longer shelf life. The Si + B treated fruits and leaves had the highest Si and B content uptake. Therefore, Si + B foliar sprays increased and retained cherry tomato firmness, maintained soluble solids, maintained titratable acidity, increased the vitamin C content, prolonged shelf life, increased cell-wall compactness, and increased Si and B accumulation as noted in the study.