PLANT SPACING EFFECTS ON PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND TRANSPIRATION OF THE GREENHOUSE TOMATO

Abstract

The effect of four equidistant spacings (23, 30, 38, 45 cm) applied to four-row plantings of greenhouse tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. ’CR-6’) on plant net photosynthesis (P) and transpiration (E) was studied. Closer spacing decreased the leaf-area-based net photosynthesis (Pa) of the lower leaves but had little effect on the Pa of the upper leaves. The exposed parts of a tomato plant could adjust their Pa rates upwards to compensate for the low Pa of their shaded parts. The leaf-weight-based net photosynthesis (Pw) increased with the decrease of plant spacing and it was higher in inside compared to outside plants. The differences between the Pa and Pw results were mostly attributable to the effect of light in increasing the specific leaf weight (SLW). The E rate of plants increased at the closest spacing and there was a higher leaf weight based transpiration (Ew) in inside than outside plants. The leaf area based transpiration (Ea) and stomatal resistance (Rw) were not affected appreciably by light (photosynthetic photon flux density) other than at very low levels (i.e. less than 100 μmol m−2 s−1) where there was a sharp increase in Rw and a corresponding decrease in Ea. The P of plants growing in an environment of gradually declining duration and intensity of solar irradiance declined with the aging of plants. There was no similar effect on E.Key words: Lycopersicon esculentum Mill, plant spacing, photosynthesis, transpiration, tomato