EFFECTS OF IRRADIANCE AND WATER STRESS ON FLOWER ABORTION IN THE GLASSHOUSE TOMATO

Authors:	J.G. Atherton, S. Othman
Abstract: Flower abortion was induced in tomatoes grown in the glasshouse during the summer and autumn by reducing natural irradiance levels. Total irradiance of 150 MJm^-2 over a 30 day period from macroscopic bud visibility caused 50% flower abortion in the first inflorescence. Complete truss abortion was induced when plants received less than 75 MJm^-2 over the same period. No abortion could be attributed to irradiance when levels were above 300 MJm^-2. Tomato plants grown commercially are frequently subjected to water stress treatments during propagation in the belief that this prevents flower abortion. Experiments here have shown that the stage of flower development during which the plants are stressed will determine how flower development will be affected. Withholding water until leaf water potential reached minus 14 bars when the largest bud in the inflorescence was 4 mm long increased abortion. There were indications that similar stress treatments applied earlier in flower development could reduce flower abortion.
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