ISHS Acta Horticulturae 487: VI International Symposium on Processing Tomato & Workshop on Irrigation & Fertigation of Processing Tomato
PACLOBUTRAZOL IN TOMATO (Lycopersicon esculentum) FOR IMPROVED TOLERANCE TO EARLY TRANSPLANTING AND EARLIER HARVEST MATURITY |
| Authors: | V. Souza-Machado, R. Pitblado, A. Ali, P. May |
| Keywords: | triazoles, plug transplants, seed treatment, stress tolerance |
| Abstract:
In Southern Ontario processing tomato crops are field established with greenhouse grown plug transplants. However, concerns have been raised as to environmental/management problems relating to seedling quality and ability to withstand transplanting shock. The need for innovative cultural practices to enhance early maturity was also stressed by Processors. Therefore, the potential of using Paclobutrazol tomato seed priming to enhance plug transplant quality, improve tolerance to transplanting shock and accelerate earlier harvest maturity, was investigated. In 1997 establishment of processing tomato field trials were staggered up to 10 days before the recommended ‘frost safe’ transplanting date in late May. Seeds of five processing cultivars were primed with Paclobutrazol and used to raise seedlings which were subsequently transplanted in Grower fields. In other greenhouse experiments, Paclobutrazol tomato seedlings were also assessed for low temperature and drought stress tolerance. Early harvest maturity in processing tomato trials were monitored by periodic preharvest counts and final harvest weights of reds/breaker tomatoes. Vigour ratings of seedlings following low field temperature and transplanting shock taken 18 to 42 days after transplanting, indicated significant improved seedling tolerance due to Paclobutrazol seed priming. Greenhouse trials involving drought stress treatments, indicated improved seedling tolerance with Paclobutrazol treated seedlings. The 1997 trials in S. Ontario confirmed improved field established vigour with Paclobutrazol transplants under stress conditions. There were no significant total yield differences between the Paclobutrazol and ‘check’ plots, however, significant earliness in harvest maturity was recorded in preharvest red/breaker counts and percentage of reds/breakers to total yield by weight data. Earliness was equated to 7–10 days advanced maturity with Paclobutrazol plots compared to the ‘check’ plots. | |
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