Influence of Sublethal Concentrations of 2, 4-D on Tomatoes and Tomato Juice1

Tomato plants, cvs. Campbell 1327 in 1967 and Heinz 1350 in 1968, were grown in 6 plastic greenhouses (2,4-D added, filtered or ambient atmospheres) and outside plots. The effect of 2,4-D added application on the yield and appearance of tomatoes was observed. Measurements were made of total solids content, color, amount of pigment and pH of juice from the tomatoes. Flavor of juice was evaluated by a trained laboratory taste panel. Although plants in greenhouses with 2,4-D added tended to produce fewer, but larger, fruit than the other treatments, no significant differences were found among the treatments on yield of fruit per plant. But pH, color, beta-carotene, total pigment and flavor of juice were not affected. The lycopene content was similar for the tomato juices from fruit grown in the various greenhouses. But the juice from tomatoes grown in outside plots had a lycopene content significantly lower than that from tomatoes grown in greenhouses. The trace level of 2,4-D used had a significant effect (P<0.005) on total solids content of the juice.