Abstract
Effects of low light intensity due to shading during high and low temperature seasons on the flower-bud appearance and fruit setting of the parthenocarpic tomato ‘Renaissance’ were examined. The flower-bud development of ‘Renaissance’ was hindered by low light intensity due to 70% shading during the high temperature season, but the flower-bud developed normally expressed parthenocarpy. The seeded fruit rate and numbers of seeds per fruit of ‘Renaissance’ were increased by low light intensity due to 70% shading during the high temperature season. Furthermore, low light intensity due to 45% shading during the low temperature season did not influence the flower-bud development of ‘Renaissance’ and the parthenocarpic characteristics of ‘Renaissance’ were very strong. Accordingly we conclude that reducing the shading to the minimum is important to be developed the flower-bud normally during high temperature season for the purpose of improving the productivity of the parthenocarpic tomato ‘Renaissance’.
