Interaction of pollination and number of leaves in the tomato.

Abstract

Heavy pollination of tomato flowers, obtained by using an electric vibrator, resulted in earlier maturity and in most cases a higher yield. At a high leaf: truss ratio yields were increased, but maturity was delayed compared with that at a lower ratio. Average fruit weight was increased after heavy pollination, but fruit number was usually lower; when extra leaves were present, however, the depressing effect of heavy pollination on fruit number tended to disappear. The number of seeds in fruits weighing 100 g. increased considerably with heavy pollination, and this effect was more marked in the higher than in the lower trusses. With an increase in leaf number the seed number per fruit decreased.-Lab. Tuinbouwpl., Wageningen. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)