Production of seven varieties of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) pruned to one and two stems under greenhouse

Abstract

The experiment was conducted from May to August 2018 at the Technological University of the Southwest of Guanajuato (UTSOE) in a randomized complete block design with three repetitions, in greenhouse 1 of 700 m2 of the Sustainable and Protected Agriculture Career; with the purpose of evaluating the effect of pruning at one and two stems per plant, on yield, fruit weight and plant variables in seven varieties of saladette tomato produced under greenhouse and in hydroponics. The varieties evaluated were: Natalie, USATX 12227, USATX 9934, Juan Pablo, USATX 24019, USATX 16117, USATX 15538, all established at a density of 31,250 plants or stems per hectare. Pruning at two stems per plant produced the highest yield in the USATX 16117, USATX 9934 and Natalie varieties, producing more than 2.3 kg per plant after six weeks of harvest. For the fruit weight, the USATX 9934 variety with two stems, was the one that produced fruits of greater caliber, being one of the three varieties with the highest yield. For the plant height, the USATX 24019 variety with one stem was the one with the highest height three months after the transplant.