EFFECT OF EARLY PRUNNINGS ON TOMATO (Solanum lycopersicum) VAR. RAMSES FOR THE FORMATION OF PLANTS WITH TWO STEMS

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of pruning of tomato on variables related to productivity.
Design/methodology/approach: The study was carried out in randomized complete block design, where the treatments were the control with two plants with just one stem, treatment 1 conformed by seedlings at double stems, and treatment 2 with seedlings originally having one stem and pruning was done once they were transplanted in the greenhouse.
Results: Plants having just one stem produced fruits with better quality indicators including weight and fruit size, while plants that conformed the treatments 1 and 2, with double stem produced a higher quantity of fruits, though they did not reach a size comparable to the control.
Research limits/implications: It should not be maintained constantly and heavy watering in the cultivation, due that these present fungous illnesses. The pruning at double stem should be made few days after germination for better results.
Findings/ conclusions: Pruning at two stem after transplantation and double stem at nursery level, obtained more quantity of fruits but not the adequate size neither the desired quality, due that both treatments have double stem and exist high competence of nutriments.