Effects of stem training on the physiology, growth, and yield responses of indeterminate tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants grown in protected cultivation
Mlungisi F. Mngoma,
Lembe S. Magwaza,
Nkanyiso J. Sithole,
Shirly T. Magwaza,
Asanda Mditshwa,
Samson Z. Tesfay,
Khayelihle Ncama
Affiliations
Mlungisi F. Mngoma
Discipline of Horticultural Science, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Lembe S. Magwaza
Discipline of Horticultural Science, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa; Discipline of Crop Science, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa; Corresponding author.
Nkanyiso J. Sithole
Department of Crop Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho, 2790, South Africa; Food Security and Safety Niche Area, Faculty of Natural Sciences, North-West University, Mmabatho, 2790, South Africa; Corresponding author.
Shirly T. Magwaza
Department of Agricultural Science, University of Zululand, Private Bag X1001, KwaDlangezwa, 3886, South Africa
Asanda Mditshwa
Discipline of Horticultural Science, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Samson Z. Tesfay
Discipline of Horticultural Science, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Khayelihle Ncama
Department of Crop Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho, 2790, South Africa; Food Security and Safety Niche Area, Faculty of Natural Sciences, North-West University, Mmabatho, 2790, South Africa
The lower yield of tomatoes grown in tunnels, due to the limited space, remains a challenge. Stem training has long been identified as one of the most important horticultural practices used to improve the yield and fruit quality of tomatoes grown in commercial tunnels; however, there is little information available on the dome-shaped tunnels that are used, particularly by smallholder farmers. The common stem-training methods used in tunnels include the Single-Stem (SS), the Double-Stem (DS) and the Two-Plants-per-Pot (TPP) methods. Their effect on the plants’ growth, development and physiology varies significantly, and hence, it affects crop productivity. The experiment was conducted in an 8 m × 30 m dome-shaped tunnel and the treatment included the single-stem, double-stem and two-plants-per-pot methods. A higher photosynthetic rate was observed in the SS treatment, followed by the DS treatment. Similar trends were found in the growth, yield and fruit quality parameters of the SS and DS treatments. However, the DS and TPP treatments exhibited, on average, a higher number of fruits, as well as a higher colour index, TSS, TA and Brima per harvest, than the SS treatment. The study indicated that the double-stem and two-plants-per-pot training methods are the best for farmers who seek to optimize their yields and maximize their profits for this cultivar.
