Abstract
A study was conducted from 1989 to 1991 to examine the effects of continuous tomato cropping, short-term crop rotation and, nitrogen fertilization rates on processing tomato quality. Research was conducted at two sites in southwestern Ontario, Leamington and Dresden, in split-plot experimental design. The rotations included tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) - winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) (underseeded with red clover (Trifolium pratense), tomato-winter wheat-soybean (Glycine max), tomato-alfalfa (Medicago sativa), and tomato-rye (Secale cereale). Nitrogen fertilization rates of 0, 45, 90 and 135 kg/ha were used. Processing tomato cv. Heniz 9230 and Nabisco Brands Ltd. 7107 were assessed for colour, % soluble solids and total solids, and blossom end rot [BER]. In most instances, continuous tomato [C-T] had significantly poorer colour, soluble solids, and total solids than fruit from the various crop rotations. High nitrogen rates for C-T at Leamington, resulted in improved soluble solids and total solids, but had no significant effect on colour. A lower incidence of BER consistently occurred with low rates of nitrogen. Our results indicate that short-term crop rotation and nitrogen management in processing tomatoes can enhance fruit quality when compared to C-T.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.