Although detailed growth studies and yield analysis are common for agronomi
c crops, their application to horticultural crops is limited. Detailed grow
th measurements of field-grown tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) were
conducted at four Florida locations for two irrigation methods. Maximum rat
e of main-stem node development was approximate to 0.5 nodes d(-1) and leaf
area index (LAI) increased exponentially with main-stem node number. Maxim
um LAI was attained 11 wk after transplanting, with values ranging from 1.5
to 3.0 and from 3.2 to 6.0 for drip-irrigated and subirrigated crops, resp
ectively. Lower LAI values with drip irrigation were only partially related
to wider row spacings. Final biomass (dry weight) ranged from 6 to 12 Mg h
a(-1) and fruit dry weight harvest indices (fruit biomass/total above-groun
d biomass) ranged from 0.53 to 0.71. Average dry matter accumulation by roo
ts, stems, and leaves accounted for approximate to 3, 23, and 17% of final
biomass, respectively. Estimated radiation use efficiency (RUE) for tomato
averaged 1.05 g dry weight MJ(-1) m(-2), with 50 to 60% light interception
in the crop production area at LAI values of 4 to 5. At 11000 plants per ha
, the rate of dry matter accumulation averaged 17.8 g d(-1) m(-2) during th
e linear growth phase, with instantaneous dry matter partitioning to fruits
averaging 0.70 during the fruit-growth phase. Relationships between degree
days, estimated cumulative intercepted radiation, and fruit yield accounte
d for much of the variation in fruit yields for these different seasons and
locations throughout Florida.