Tomato production under different temperatures, irrigation and pruning regimes

Abstract

The aim of this work was to determine the most suitable irrigation regime and pruning method for improving tomato fruit quality and yield under optimum and high temperatures. Three irrigation regimes and two pruning methods were tested in both of the spring and summer of 1993 and 1994 seasons. The study was carried out under the protected cultivation project at the Nubaria research station. Within each crop season and each irrigation regime, the influence of two pruning methods on the crop yield and fruit quality was studied. Strong interaction effects were observed between air temperature, irrigation and pruning methods on crop yield and fruit qualities. The results indicate that standard irrigation level with single branch pruning was the best treatment in the spring season. In contrast, higher irrigation levels with pruning to a single or double branch showed better fruit yields in the summer season.