Some observations upon the influence of morphactin IT 3456 applied into the soil on the yield of tomatoes

Abstract

It was found that the application of 25 ml of morphactin IT 3456 solution in 0.25; 0.5 and 1 ppm concentrations into 4.8 kg of soil (air dry matter) caused an increase of the total number and weight of fruits in the 'New Yorker' tomato variety. In contrast, a higher dose (50 ml) of the morphactin solution in 5 ppm concentration applied into 4.7 kg of soil (air dry matter) caused a considerable decrease of the number and weight of all fruits, the deformation of fruits and the seasonal blight of plants as well. Morphactin IT 3456 applied into 7.2 kg of pure sand (air dry matter) in 50 ml of the solution in 1 ppm concentration caused much more damage of the plants than observed in the plants grown in the soil treated with the IT 3456 solution in four smaller concentrations. When 50 ml of morphactin IT 3456 solution in 5 ppm (soil) and 1 ppm (sand) concentration was used, from 74.2 to 100% of parthenocarpy was found. In the remaining combinations development of parthenocarpic fruits was observed sporadically.