ISHS Acta Horticulturae 487: VI International Symposium on Processing Tomato & Workshop on Irrigation & Fertigation of Processing Tomato
PREDICTING PHENOLOGICAL EVENTS OF CALIFORNIA PROCESSING TOMATOES |
| Authors: | Frank G. Zalom, L.T. Wilson |
| Keywords: | tomato, phenology, model, temperature, heat, development, California |
| Abstract:
A method for predicting tomato plant phenology using heat units and incorporating high temperatures which appear to delay maturity is described. Degree-day >10°C accumulation to 21 plant growth stages was determined using 536 data sets collected from commercial processing tomatoe fields in California's Sacramento Valley over 4 years. Accumulations from seedling emergence to harvest was greater for later planting dates, an in warm years. Regression analysis indicated that tomato plant development was delayed when temperatures exceeded 30°C. A model which utilizes degree-days and incorporates a developmental delay whenever the daily maximum temperature exeeds 30°C is proposed to predict time from emergence to 9 of the plant growth stages. Model validation indicated significant accuracy and robustness of predictions compared to observed dates of when stage 9 growth (75–90% ripe fruit) is reached. | |
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