Effect of season on early tomato growth and development rates.

Abstract

Successive batches of tomato plants were raised throughout two years under ideal conditions in a glasshouse, and the intervals between sowing and the attainment of different stages in vegetative and reproductive growth were determined. The relationship between the season and the growing period was a simple one. There was a linear increase in the duration of the growing period between 21 September and 21 December, and a linear decrease between 21 December and 21 March. In the third season, from 21 March to 21 September, the growing period remained practically constant. The pattern of the relationship between the season and the growing period was maintained over a range of temperatures and light levels. Growth data from the literature for carnations, roses, radishes and lettuces under glass could be described in the same way. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)