Effect of EDTA and low calcium fertility on pericarp cation levels and ripening of rin tomato fruit

Ripening inhibited (rin) tomato plants were grown in silicate sand and watered with half-strength Hoagland's solution until flowering. After flowering, plants were watered until run-off daily with full-strength Hoagland's solution containing 5 mM (control) or 1 mM calcium, or full- strength Hoagland's solution with 1.25 mM or 2.5 mM Na₂EDTA. Fruit pericarp calcium levels were the same in Na₂EDTA and control treatments at 90 days postpollination. The 1 mM Ca treatment significantly decreased total pericarp Ca levels compared to the control treatment. Sodium levels were higher in fruit from Na₂EDTA-treated plants than controls. Fruit from control and 1 mM Ca treatments had significantly higher Zn than fruit from the Na₂EDTA- treatments. None of the treatments induced increased ethylene production, redness, or increased soluble solids content of rin fruit.