Maturity period varies from 55 to 105 days. Harvest fruits that are fully ripened but still firm. Most varieties are dark red. Harvested tomatoes should be put under shade with temperatures less than 25oC and a relative humidity of 80-90%. Light is not necessarily for ripening immature tomatoes. Some green tomatoes can be picked for a distant market.
Poor post-harvest handling can easily lead to poor quality tomatoes. Care should be taken not to injure the fruits or mixing them with damaged ones. It is advisable to harvest during cool temperatures such as morning or late afternoon.
Tomato yields vary from variety to variety and with system of cropping used and management.
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