ISHS Acta Horticulturae 187: I International Symposium on Mechanization of Vegetable Production
GREENHOUSE TOMATO PRODUCTION IN A TRANSPORTABLE, POTTED PLANT CROPPING SYSTEM |
| Authors: | R.J. McAvoy, G.A. Giacomelli |
| Abstract:
The tomato, grown as a single cluster crop, resembles a potted plant crop and can be adapted to a transportable table system. Preliminary data indicate that a high density, sequential planting (90,000 plants/ha) can be managed to produce a continuous yield on a predictable schedule throughout the year. Using supplemental HPS lighting (100 micromoles/M2S1 for 18 hours/day) a salable yield of 9.3 kg/M2 was produced during the midwinter cropping period 28 December to 18 January 1984. The unlit control crop produced 3.9 kg/M2 salable fruit during this period of low natural radiation. Using an eight-week cropping cycle, transplant to final harvest, five crops can be produced per unit area of greenhouse in the 10-month period, 1 October to 30 July. A transportable table system will increase the utilization of greenhouse space to 90%. Transporting tables to a centralized work station will facilitate the performance of laborous plant operations such as transplanting, pruning, pollinating and harvesting. | |
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