Predicting phenological events of California processing tomatoes Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • A method for predicting tomato plant phenology using heat units and incorporating high temperatures which appear to delay maturity is described. Degree-day >10C accumulation to 21 plant growth stages was determined using 536 data sets collected from commercial processing tomato fields in California's Sacramento Valley over 4 years. Accumulations from seedling emergence to harvest was greater for later planting dates, and in warm years. Regression analysis indicated that tomato plant development was delayed when temperatures exceeded 30C. A model which utilizes degree-days and incorporates a developmental delay whenever the daily maximum temperature exceeds 30C is proposed to predict time from emergence to 9 of the plant growth stages. Model validation indicated significant accuracy and robustness of predictions compared to observed dates of when stage 9 growth (75-90% ripe fruit) is reached.

published proceedings

  • SIXTH INTERNATIONAL ISHS SYMPOSIUM ON THE PROCESSING TOMATO - WORKSHOP ON IRRIGATION AND FERTIGATION OF PROCESSING TOMATO

author list (cited authors)

  • Zalom, F. G., & Wilson, L. T.

citation count

  • 4

complete list of authors

  • Zalom, FG||Wilson, LT

publication date

  • March 1999