evaluating the mechanical properties of tomato based on electrical conductivity

evaluation of mechanical and electrical properties of agricultural products plays an important role in equipment design and optimizing post-harvest operations. among the crops, tomato and its products are the major processing industries in the world and its economic importance is increasing. considering the importance of the quality and various post harvesting uses of tomato, the evaluation of mechanical properties including rupture force and deformation and the work done to establish the rupture of two tomato cultivars (petoearly ch and newton) were studied under penetration test based on the electrical conductivity. these properties were measured at three levels of 1, 3 and 5 days after harvesting. the evaluated mechanical properties of both cultivars were decreased by increasing the storage time. interaction of cultivar and time were significant at the 1% level, for all mechanical parameters except the deformation failure in both cultivars. the electrical conductivity of both cultivars was decreased by increasing the storage time. interaction of cultivar and time on the electrical conductivity of both cultivars were significant at the 1% level. significant relationships were found at the 1% level between electrical conductivity and mechanical properties except for deformation of petoearly ch cultivar. among the mechanical parameters, rupture forces and rupture works of both cultivars were highly correlated with the electrical conductivity.