High-density planting of tomato cultivar's with early decapitation of growing point increased yield in a closed hydroponic system

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Decapitation of tomato growing point's results in a shortened growth season with no new flower trusses initiated thereafter. Since less flower trusses could lead to reduced yield, this study was conducted to investigate whether increased plant density could contribute to increase yield per unit area. The response of nine tomato cultivars with early decapitation of growing points at different plant densities (10, 16, 20 and 25 plants/m2) was investigated in a closed hydroponic system under a 40% white shadenet structure. The growing points of all plants were removed between the second and third inflorescence, with two leaves remaining above the second inflorescence. Fruit physiological disorders, number of fruits, as well as total and marketable yield were recorded. Cultivar ‘Miramar’, gave the highest marketable and total yield, followed by cultivars ‘Rodade’ and ‘Alfar’. Cultivars ‘Alexis’, ‘Star9006’ and ‘Zeal’ produced highest average fruit mass compared to other cultivars. There was no significant interaction effect between cultivars and plant densities on tomato yield. Fruit cracking was significantly higher for ‘Linares’ and ‘Star9006’, while raincheck was higher for cultivars ‘Alexis’ and ‘FA593’. ‘Rodade’ showed high incidence of zippering. Plant densities of 20 or 25 plants/m2 produced significantly higher marketable and total yield, while plant densities of 10 or 16 plants/m2 resulted in higher average fruit mass and highest incidence of fruit cracking. Nutrient uptake, as revealed in the mineral content of fruit, was not affected by plant density. Cultivar ‘Rodade’, an open-pollinated determinate cultivar, especially shows potential to compete with more expensive hybrid cultivars in such a production system in terms of yield. Results demonstrate that high-density planting of tomato with decapitated growing points increased yield per unit area in a closed hydroponic system.