ISHS Acta Horticulturae 248: International Symposium on Models for Plant Growth, Environmental Control and Farm Management in Protected Cultivation
THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON FRUIT GROWTH AND FRUIT LOAD OF TOMATO. |
| Author: | A.N.M. de Koning |
| Abstract:
During 8 weeks from first flowering tomato plants were grown at 17, 19, 21 and 23 C. Before and after this period the temperature at the 4 treatments was the same (18 C). Fruit growth was calculated from weekly measurements of fruit diameter of each fruit and a linear relation between diameter**3 and fresh weight. High temperature enhanced early fruit growth at the expense of vegetative growth. Also when temperatures were equal fruit growth was different. These after effects of temperature on fruit growth can be explained by the influence of temperature on the assimilate partitioning. Flower abortion and delay of growth of newly set fruits acted as a feedback control mechanism to prevent too generative growth. Peaks of instantaneous fruit growth were followed by peaks of the plant's fruit load. On condition that fruits were equally distributed over the developmental fruit stages, average time lapse between instantaneous fruit growth and subsequent yield was 20 to 30 days. The results are discussed with regard to modelling crop growth and yield. | |
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