ISHS Acta Horticulturae 631: XXVI International Horticultural Congress: Issues and Advances in Transplant Production and Stand Establishment Research
USE OF FAR-RED LIGHT FILTERING FILM DURING TRANSPLANT PRODUCTION REDUCES TOMATO SEEDLING HEIGHT AND MAY INFLUENCE SUBSEQUENT FRUIT YIELD |
| Authors: | W.B. Evans, M. McMahon |
| Keywords: | transplant, seedling, height, yield, earliness, vegetables, Lycopersicon esculentum |
| Abstract:
A study was undertaken to determine the influence of light filtering plastic film (FR-) bench-top tunnels on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) transplant growth in the greenhouse and subsequent fruit yield and quality under open field conditions. Seeds of determinate and indeterminate cultivars were sown into 4.25 or 5.67 cm2 cells containing a commercially available soilless greenhouse medium. The seedlings were raised in a polyethylene-covered greenhouse on open benches until emergence of the first true leaves, at which time the seedlings were placed in their assigned treatment location within the greenhouse for finishing transplant production. Three treatments were compared: FR- tunnels, clear polyethylene tunnels, and open bench. Seedlings remained shorter when grown under FR- film than when raised on an open bench or under clear polyethylene tunnels. The FR- film produced darker green seedlings, with significant purpling under the leaves of all three cultivars tested. Once transplanted to the field, new shoot growth appeared normal. Although early yield was influenced by light treatment, total fruit yields and quality were not reduced by the FR- treatment, indicating that FR- films may be of significant value to growers looking for non-chemical means of controlling tomato seedling height without reducing fruit yield or quality. | |
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