THE EFFECT OF A GLASSHOUSE IR-FILTER ON YIELD, QUALITY AND CALCIUM CONCENTRATION IN TOMATO FRUIT

Yield, quality and Ca status of fruit were examined in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. var.
DRK) grown under an infrared reflecting filter (IR-filter), a clear filter (filter) and white painted filter (W-filter). Fresh weight of fruit in the IR-filter treatment was 27.5% and 14% higher than that of the C-filter and W-filter treatment, respectively.
Similarly, dry weight of fruit in the IR-filter treatment was 21% greater than that of the other two treatments.
The titratable acidity and soluble solids were significantly reduced in the W-filter treatment.
Both the IR-filter and the W-filter reduced BER by up to 50% compared to the C-filter treatment.
Individual fresh weight of fruit in the IR-filter treatment was 15% higher than the C-filter treatment.
The concentration of Ca at the distal end of fruit in the IR-filter treatment was significantly increased compared to the C-filter treatment.
The concentrations of both Ca and K in leaves and of K alone in fruit of the C-filter treatment were significantly higher than those of the IR-filter or the W-filter treatments.
The results clearly indicated the beneficial effects of the IR-filter on yield and fruit quality compared with either the W-filter or the C-filter treatment.

XXVI International Horticultural Congress: Protected Cultivation 2002: In Search of Structures, Systems and Plant Materials for Sustainable Greenhouse Production

S.J. Tabatabaie, P. Hadley, P.J. Gregory

blossom end rot, tomato, temperature, filter, fruit growth

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2004.633.20