Abstract

MENDOZA PEREZ, Cándido et al. Leaf area and its impact in yield and quality of greenhouse tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Rev. Fac. Cienc. Agrar., Univ. Nac. Cuyo [online]. 2022, vol.54, n.1, pp.57-69. ISSN 1853-8665.

This study aimed to estimate the tomato leaf area index (LAI) by comparing two methods (destructive and interception of photosynthetically active radiation) and the consequent relationship to fruit yield and quality. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse with tezontle (red volcanic scoria) as the substrate and a drip irrigation system. The experiment consisted of three treatments: T1, T2 and T3, with one, two and three stems per plant, respectively. The LAI was measured with a ceptometer that estimates the intercepted radiation above and below the canopy. Maximum LAI was found at 1413 cumulative growing degree days (CGDD). Those indexes were 3.69, 5.27 and 6.16 for T1, T2 and T3, respectively. Individual correlation models were fitted linearly between the two methods. The R2 values were 0.98, 0.99 and 0.99 with yields of 20, 18 and 17 kg m-2 for T1, T2 and T3, respectively. In addition, T1 produced better fruit size quality with approximately 69, 23 and 8% classified as first, second and third class, respectively. Only 1% was classified as a small fruit. Increasing the number of stems per plant increased the LAI and fruit number but decreased fruit size.

Keywords : Solanum lycopersicum L.; Ceptometer; Photosynthetically active radiation.

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