Losses in Fresh Tomatoes at the Retail and Consumer Levels in the Greater New York Area1

Abstract

Abstract Parasitic diseases were the main cause of losses at retail and consumer levels in fresh tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) marketed in Greater New York in 1974-1977. Losses at the retail level (LRL) were 6.3 and 6.7% in prepackaged and loose fruits, respectively, and losses in consumer samples (LCL) were 7.9 and 4.7%, respectively. More than 60% of the LRL and 80% of the LCL resulted from diseases, principally alternaria, rhizopus, and gray mold rots and bacterial soft rot. Physical injuries and physiological disorders caused the remaining losses, the former being considerably more damaging.