Image processing techniques to identify tomato quality under market conditions

Tomatoes are essential in both agriculture and culinary spheres, demanding rigorous quality assessment. It is highly advantageous to discern the maturity level and the time range post-harvesting of tomatoes in the market through visual analysis of their images. This research endeavors to forecast tomato quality by accurately determining the maturity level and the duration post-harvest, specifically tailored to Sri Lankan market conditions, with a particular focus on Padma tomatoes. It identifies maturity stages (Green, Breakers, Turning, Pink, Light Red, Red) and post-harvest dates using image processing techniques. Greenhouse-grown Padma tomatoes mimic market conditions for image capture, and Convolutional Neural Networks facilitate this analysis. Model 1, using ReLU and sigmoid activation functions, accurately classifies tomatoes with 99 % training and validation accuracy. Model 2, with seven classes, achieves 99 % training and 98 % validation accuracy using ReLU and softmax activation functions. Integration of the IPGRI/IITA 1998 classification method enhances tomato categorization. Efficient tomato image screening optimizes resource use. This study successfully determines Padma tomato post-harvest dates based on maturity stages, a significant contribution to tomato quality assessment under market conditions.