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- Author or Editor: J. E. Pallas Jr. x
Abstract
Increased temperature of the growing bed had no effect on fruit yield, fruit cracking, skin strength, or plant growth of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum mill.). Yield losses from cracking were 2, 16 and 35% in the fall, spring and summer crops, respectively. The pink-fruited ‘Ohio-Indiana Hybrid O’ and ‘Missouri Hybrid 756’ had greater fruit losses due to cracking than the red-fruited ‘Floradel’ and ‘Rapids’. Large fruit were more susceptible to cracking. Fruit cracking in the fall crop was predominantly concentric in nature whereas cracked fruit in the summer was predominantly radial. Skin puncture resistance was inversely related to fruit cracking.
Abstract
Glasshouse microclimate during 3 growth periods in the Southern Piedmont region of the United States was characterized. An increase in density of tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) by one-third, which doubled radiation interception, was suggested by early observations. Maintenance of clean glass surfaces was found to be particularly important during cloudy weather. There was no significant difference between mean air temperature and mean rooting media temperature in the raised beds used. CO2 concentration was found to be low (240 ppm) when fans were not circulating outside air. CO2 generators, installed to increase greenhouse CO2 levels, were not effective possibly because control was inadequate. The use of CO2 enrichment requires further study under Southeastern conditions. Relative humidity remained below the recommended 90% in the green-house except during cloudy-mild weather. Although inside relative humidity was generally less than outside relative humidity, values ranged from 90 to 100%.