As the global demand for high-quality tomatoes continues to rise, researchers have unveiled findings on the optimal spacing of grafted "Primo Red" tomatoes within high tunnel systems. The study offers important insights into enhancing yield and quality for tomato producers worldwide.
The work is published in the journal HortTechnology.
High tunnels are well suited for tomato production, and in some research, have demonstrated three times more profitability than a field-grown crop. In some geographic regions, the controlled environment allows growers to bring tomatoes to market approximately 3 to 4 weeks earlier than field-grown plants, allowing some growers to charge a premium price.
While the exclusion of precipitation allows tomato foliage to remain dry, the foliar disease is still common in high tunnel tomato production due in part to vigorous foliar growth, reduced airflow, dense plant spacing, and high humidity within the plant canopy. Intensive, year-round cultivation without rotation can also lead to the degradation of many soil health parameters as well as the buildup of soilborne disease.
Read more at phys.org