Relation of Stress-Strain Properties of Tomato Skin to Cracking of Tomato Fruit1

Abstract

Stress-strain measurements of the skin from fruit of 5 tomato cultivars were related to field data for fruit cracking. No relationship was found between modulus of elasticity and fruit cracking, but ultimate force and breaking elongation showed inverse relationships to fruit cracking. Breaking elongation, which reflects both elasticity and plasticity of the skin, should be of value in estimating crack resistance of tomato fruit. The Instron instrument was used to determine these mechanical properties.