ISHS Acta Horticulturae 301: IV International Symposium on Processing Tomatoes
EARLY SEASON TOMATO ESTABLISHMENT USING PLASIC |
| Authors: | F. F. Laemmlen, Keith S. Mayberry |
| Abstract:
Approximately 4480 ha. of processing tomatoes are grown in Imperial Valley in 1990. Of this production several hundred hectares were started with midbed trench cultured techniques to bring tomatoes to maturity as early as possible. The system involves seeding tomato in two 15 X 15 cm trenches 30 cm apart on a 1.5 m bed. The trenches are covered with a 1.5 mil by 76 cm plastic film. Several plastic films were installed in both a north-south and east-west orientation. Temperatures were collected hourly over a 49 day period. On day 2 after installation the ambient air temperature was 21 C high and -0.5C low. The 1.5 mil clear smooth film had the highest midday temperature (36.6 C). The clear embossed film, however, retained slightly more heat (2 C vs 0.5C) at night in east-west beds. The east-west orientation was far superior in heat development and retention over north-south oriented beds. | |
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