Studies on the growth and fruiting in the tomato. IV

Effect of the early environment on the growth and fruiting. 4 Fertility of bed soil, watering and spacing

Abstract

The experiments were carried out to ascertain the effects of fertility of nursery bed soil, watering and spacing on the growth and flower formation of tomato seedlings.
Seeds of “Fukuju No. 2” variety were sown in flat, and the seedlings were transplanted in clay pots (15cm in diameter) and were grown for 50 days after cotyledon expansion.
1. Effect of fertility of nursery bed soil on the vegetative and reproductive responses.
Tomato seedlings were grown in the bed soils having three different levels of fertility The fertile bed soil induces vigorous growth, being followed with acceleration of flower differentiation with the decrease in number of leaves to the first inflorescence and the increased number of flowers with the acceleration of their development.
2. Effect of watering on the vegetative and reproductive responses.
To set up the plots differing in water-regimes, irrigation water was supplied 50-100mc, 300mc and 500mc per pot every day. The more abundant the water supply, the more luxuriant the plant growth. The less water supply restricts the plant growth and retards the flower bud differentiation and its development, and decreases the number of flowers.
3. Effect of spacing on the vegetative and reproductive responses.
The seedlings were transplanted 3×3cm, 6×6cm and 9×9cm apart in the nursery beds. The wider the spacing, the more vigorous the growth, being followed with earlier flower bud differentiation with less number of leaves to the first inflorescence, and increased number of flowers and acceleration of their development.
4. Relations between the flower formation and chemical constituents in tomato seedlings.
The chemical constituents in the top of seedlings at 50 days stage grown under all the combinations of fertility levels of bed soil, watering and spacing vary significantly. They show high correlation with the total number of flowers up to the third inflorescence. The seedlings grown under the fertile bed soil, the favourable water supply and the wide spacing show higher level of carbohydrates, especially total sugars, and nitrogen compounds, especially protein, and differentiate many flowers. Carbohydrates, especially sugars and nitrogen, especially protein, are associated and needed for the better growth and reproductivity of the tomato plant.