Effects of planting stage and density of tomato seedlings on growth and yield component in low-truss cultivation
2015
A:PS
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Title
Effects of planting stage and density of tomato seedlings on growth and yield component in low-truss cultivation
Publication Date
2015
Call Number
A:PS
Summary
To clarify factors which contribute to fruit yield in low-truss tomato cultivation, we investigated the effects of the planting stage and density of seedlings on transplantation on the growth, fresh fruit yield, and yield components. Tomato seedlings were transplanted at four seedling stages, and at two planting densities. Seedlings with 2-3 leaves (Direct planting, no secondary raising), immediately before anthesis in the first inflorescence, at the first flower anthesis, or at the 3rd flower anthesis were transplanted onto rock wool slabs at 2.6 or 3.9 plants per m2. Significant differences in the fruit yield, leaf area index (LAI), and total dry matter production (TDM) were observed among the seedling stages and densities at 110 days after sowing. However, neither the seedling stage nor plant density significantly influenced the light use efficiency (LUE). Since the difference in LAI caused the difference in the fraction of light interception by plants, the fraction mainly influenced the yield and TDM. These results were also supported by Pearson's correlation between each yield component. TDM had positive correlations with dry fruit yield and fraction of light interception. There was a significant positive correlation between the fractions of light interception and LAI. Accordingly, the differences in fruit yield and TDM would be mainly due to the fraction of light interception resulting from the difference in LAI. These suggest that there is no improvement of LUE on modifying the seedling stages and densities at transplantation, and that increases in LAI and the fraction of light interception would increase the fresh fruit yield on low-truss tomato cultivation.
Journal Citation
14(2):163-170, HORTICULTURAL RESEARCH (JAPAN)
Contact Information
harvest@worldveg.org
Record Appears in
Research > Published Articles