Effects of a UV-absorbing greenhouse covering film on tomato yield and quality

The effect of blocking the ultraviolet (UV) solar radiation using a UV-absorbing low density polyethylene (PE) film on tomato crop yield and fruit quality was evaluated in a two-year study in two arched roof greenhouses located in Central Greece. The UV-A and UV-B radiation transmission values of the greenhouse covered by the UV-absorbing PE film during the first year were 0.4% and 1.2%, respectively and increased to 0.8% and 1.3% in the 2nd year, while the respective values in the greenhouse covered by a traditional PE film were 20.7% and 12.5% during the 1st year and 28.7% and 26.7% during the 2nd year. Under the UV-absorbing film the number of insect injured fruit was reduced and the marketable yield was similar or higher than that under the common PE film, while fruit quality characteristics (size, shape), nutritional value (ascorbic acid and lycopene) and organoleptic quality (pH, titratable acidity and total soluble solids) were similar under both covering materials. Moreover, the reduction of incoming UV radiation had an appreciable effect on fruit skin color, indicating an effect on pigments other than lycopene.