EFFECT OF PLANT-DENSITY ON BIOMASS ALLOCATION TO THE FRUITS IN TOMATO(LYCOPERSICON ESCULENTUM MILL)

The effect of plant density (1.6, 2.1 and 3.1 m(-2); within-row plant distances of 0.80 m, 0.60 m and 0.40 m, respectively) on biomass alloc ation to the fruits in tomato was studied in a glasshouse experiment b y periodical destructive plant harvests. The experiment lasted for a p eriod of 105 days after anthesis of the first truss (planting date). T russes were pruned to seven fruits. In this way, indirect effects of p lant density on dry matter partitioning through flower and/or fruit ab ortion were prevented. Plant development (number of visible trusses) w as equal for the three plant densities. At higher plant density, growt h per plant was reduced considerably, but dry matter distribution was not influenced. At the end of the experiment, 57-59% of total dry matt er produced was located in the fruits for all three plant densities.