Highly Accurate Estimation of Breker Stage and Fruit Growth Curve Using Tomato Fruit Growth Rate

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K20607
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0604:Agricultural economics and rural sociology, agricultural engineering, and related fields
• Research Institution: National Agriculture and Food Research Organization
• Principal Investigator: MASAAKI TAKAHASHI 国立研究開発法人農業・食品産業技術総合研究機構, 農業ロボティクス研究センター, 主任研究員 (70555549)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-08-31 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: トマト / 果実 / 肥大 / センシング / 成長曲線

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The parameters of fruit growth and temperature at the time of post-flowering accumulation, which are indices for judging tomato fruit maturity, have been based on numerical values obtained from past knowledge. However, the current situation is that there is a large variation among fruits. Therefore, we developed a method for more accurately predicting fruit weight at harvest and breaker stage by directly quantifying the phenomena occurring in individual fruits and using them as variables. As a result of this research, we were able to create a model for estimating fruit weight at harvest by learning data on fruit diameter over time up to an average integrated temperature of 500°C or 800°C after flowering as an explanatory variable and fruit weight at harvest as an objective variable. Using the model, we harvested only the bunches with small fruit growth estimated in the early stage of fruit development. As a result, it was possible to control the fruits shipping size.

Free Research Field

施設園芸

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、主にトマト果実の収穫時におけるサイズを収穫２週間以上前に高精度に予測する技術を開発した。本技術を活用することで、生産者と販売側は出荷前に必要な調整を行いやすくなる。その結果、生産者側はトマトの販売単価を上げることができて収益性を高められ、販売側は販売計画を早期に立てることができる。また、規格外のトマトは商品として扱われないが、出荷時の果実サイズの割合を早期に生産者が知ることができれば、果実を摘む等して、規格外のトマトの割合を減らすことができる。