FRUIT-SET AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE TOMATO (LYCOPERSICON ESCULENTUM MILL.) GROWN UNDER PROTECTED CONDITIONS DURING THE COOL SEASON IN THE SOUTH-EASTERN COAST REGION OF SPAIN. THE RESPONSE TO EXOGENOUS GROWTH REGULATORS

Fruit-set is not adversely affected by the environmental conditions when tomatoes are grown in unheated greenhouses in the south-east of Spain during the winter.
However fruit growth is significantly reduced, and this adverse effect may be overcome through the application of exogenous auxins to ovaries at anthesis.
The response to these applications depends on the tomato cultivar, and is inversely related to the growth of the untreated ovaries.
There is an increase in early yield, but if the cropping period is prolonged total yield is not increased due to a reduction in the number of flowers in the upper trusses, although fruit-set is not affected.
Gibberellic acid did not enhance fruit growth; instead a reduction in fruit weight was obtained and its application opposed the stimulation in growth brought about by the auxins.
Both gibberellic acid and auxins interfered with seed formation and/or development, reducing the number of seeds per fruit and increasing the number of seedless fruits.
Fruit puffiness was increased by the application of auxins.

Symposium on Protected Cultivation of Solanacea in Mild Winter Climates

M. Abad, J.L. Guardiola

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1986.191.12