ARRANGEMENT OF TOMATO PLANTS IN LADDER-SHAPED CANOPIES UNDER TWO POPULATION DENSITIES

Abstract

The management of plant architecture is of utmost importance under intensive production systems. The aim of the present study was to evaluate growth and yield in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) plants under an alternative production system based on early pruning of the terminal buds to leave just three clusters per plant and high population density under hydroponics and greenhouse conditions. Three arrangements of plants with ladder-shaped canopies and a fourth one with uniform canopy (control) were compared. Pik Ripe 461 tomato plants with determinate growth habit were used. Within each production system, two population densities (10 and 12.5 plants m^-2) were tested. A split plot arrangement under a randomized complete blocks design with four replications was used. Production systems were evaluated in the main plots and population densities in the sub-plots. Morphological and yield-related traits were analyzed. It was found that plants with ladder-shaped canopies yielded between 18 and 21% more per unit area than those with uniform canopy, because they produced more fruits without a significant decrease in their mean weight. The population density with the highest yield (31 kg m^-2) was 12.5 plants m^-2. The proposed management system was effective to increase tomato yield per unit area under greenhouse conditions.