Articles
SIMULTOM: A DIAGNOSTIC TOOL FOR GREENHOUSE TOMATO PRODUCTION
Article number
593_28
Pages
219 – 226
Language
English
Abstract
The dynamic growth model TOMGRO for tomato was used as a tool to assist growers to evaluate their yield.
A concept, based on graphical tracking, was developed to give a warning signal to the grower when his yield is below an optimal simulated yield.
Theoretic reference growth curves were simulated under optimal climate conditions for both truss tomato types (cv.
Durinta) and single fruit harvested types (cv.
Tradiro) as well as for different pruning practices.
Cumulative growth with respect to node number, number of harvested fruits, number of set fruits and fruit dry weight were chosen as critical yield parameters.
The reference growth curves are given to the grower who can compare his own yield to the predicted optimal yield at any given moment.
When his yield is lower then the expected simulated yield, the cause of this yield loss can be traced by making new simulations with adapted climate parameters.
In addition, it is possible to invert the evaluation concept to calculate the number of days needed, under optimal conditions, to obtain a target yield for different starting dates during the growing season.
The result can be used to predict the supply to the auction for a certain period or to calculate labour requirements.
The concept is currently being tested under practical conditions at the Proefbedrijf der Noorderkempen, the Vegetable Research Centre (St.-Katelijne-Waver) and at several growers sites with various climate conditions (e.g.
CO2 concentration), greenhouse types (e.g. older and newer constructions) and tomato types (e.g. truss types, single harvested types). In this article the Simultom concept is explained, since the project is at this moment in an early stage of research, only preliminary results can be shown.
A concept, based on graphical tracking, was developed to give a warning signal to the grower when his yield is below an optimal simulated yield.
Theoretic reference growth curves were simulated under optimal climate conditions for both truss tomato types (cv.
Durinta) and single fruit harvested types (cv.
Tradiro) as well as for different pruning practices.
Cumulative growth with respect to node number, number of harvested fruits, number of set fruits and fruit dry weight were chosen as critical yield parameters.
The reference growth curves are given to the grower who can compare his own yield to the predicted optimal yield at any given moment.
When his yield is lower then the expected simulated yield, the cause of this yield loss can be traced by making new simulations with adapted climate parameters.
In addition, it is possible to invert the evaluation concept to calculate the number of days needed, under optimal conditions, to obtain a target yield for different starting dates during the growing season.
The result can be used to predict the supply to the auction for a certain period or to calculate labour requirements.
The concept is currently being tested under practical conditions at the Proefbedrijf der Noorderkempen, the Vegetable Research Centre (St.-Katelijne-Waver) and at several growers sites with various climate conditions (e.g.
CO2 concentration), greenhouse types (e.g. older and newer constructions) and tomato types (e.g. truss types, single harvested types). In this article the Simultom concept is explained, since the project is at this moment in an early stage of research, only preliminary results can be shown.
Authors
C. Sauviller, W. Baets, H. Pien, R. Lemeur
Keywords
tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), graphical tracking, yield evaluation, production time
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