This premise led (since 1970) to assume that every fruit in the bunch would come to potential maturity while having the nutrient photosynthate supply necessary. Understanding "potential maturity" the maximum processing capacity of sugar (brix), acid, aromatic and other substances that will give the expression of the variety. Another reason not defoliate above the cluster that is currently maturing, is to prevent fruit cracking due to the pressure of roots produced during the night and on-low luminosity, here the leaves are used as organs such discharge pressure ( gutation). The foliage keeps a microclimate in the cluster environment, protecting it from major changes in the VPD, and so reducing the damage of microcracking and russeting.

The point in the question that the leaf removal is a necessary practical to allow entry of light, but if there are no leaves what object is the light?
In summary, while the foliage of tomato receives a light energy between 600 and 1600 mE and being healthy, is still vital to maintain high quality fruit.                        It is understandable that because of market issues, to accelerate the ripening of fruit on the plant, it is necessary to expose them to heat of the solar energy, but it is also clear that this technique reduces the product quality.