ISHS Acta Horticulturae 633: XXVI International Horticultural Congress: Protected Cultivation 2002: In Search of Structures, Systems and Plant Materials for Sustainable Greenhouse Production
THE EFFECT OF A GLASSHOUSE IR-FILTER ON YIELD, QUALITY AND CALCIUM CONCENTRATION IN TOMATO FRUIT |
| Authors: | S.J. Tabatabaie, P. Hadley, P.J. Gregory |
| Keywords: | blossom end rot, tomato, temperature, filter, fruit growth |
| Abstract:
Yield, quality and Ca status of fruit were examined in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. var. DRK) grown under an infrared reflecting filter (IR-filter), a clear filter (filter) and white painted filter (W-filter). Fresh weight of fruit in the IR-filter treatment was 27.5% and 14% higher than that of the C-filter and W-filter treatment, respectively. Similarly, dry weight of fruit in the IR-filter treatment was 21% greater than that of the other two treatments. The titratable acidity and soluble solids were significantly reduced in the W-filter treatment. Both the IR-filter and the W-filter reduced BER by up to 50% compared to the C-filter treatment. Individual fresh weight of fruit in the IR-filter treatment was 15% higher than the C-filter treatment. The concentration of Ca at the distal end of fruit in the IR-filter treatment was significantly increased compared to the C-filter treatment. The concentrations of both Ca and K in leaves and of K alone in fruit of the C-filter treatment were significantly higher than those of the IR-filter or the W-filter treatments. The results clearly indicated the beneficial effects of the IR-filter on yield and fruit quality compared with either the W-filter or the C-filter treatment. | |
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