Abstract
The present studies were carried out to ascertain the role of the leaves playing in the development of tomato flowers, especially that of the ovaries.
The mature leaves of tomato seedlings were removed alternately or successively from the first to the eighth node when they reached about 50mm in length respectively.
The defoliation of mature leaves retarded the development of flowers and this resulted in the formation of the smaller flowers with small sepals, petals, anthers and ovary. The sepals and the locules number decreased.
The new leaves were removed as they emerged, above the third node, counting from the base.
The defoliation of the immature leaves accelerated the development of flowers and this resulted in the formation of the larger flowers with larger sepals, petals, anthers and ovary. The sepals and the locules number increased.
The results showed that the flower development might be controlled by proper quantities of nutrient and/or hormonal stimulus supply following removal of mature or immature leaves. The defoliation of mature leaves decreased the elaboration of carbohydrates and induced carbohydrates shortage for the development of flower buds and this resulted in the formation of smaller flowers. On the other hand, the defoliation of immature leaves depressed the vegetative growth and the decrease of the demand due to the weakened vegetative growth for the nutrient supply, in its turn, favoured the surplus nutrient mobilization to the developing flower buds and this resulted in the fasciated flower formation.
