| The effects of controlled environment strategies on the yield and quality of cherry tomato fruit production were studied between April, 2003 and September, 2004 at The University of Arizona Campus Agriculture Center; Tucson, AZ. Two cultivars of cherry tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. var. cerasiforme) planted at 2.2 plants m-2 were grown hydroponically in coconut coir and drip fertigated with a low EC (2.4 dS m-1), high EC (4.5 dS m-1 ), mid day relief of high EC (2.4 dS m-1 or 4.5 dS m-1 over a 24 h period) or night time super high EC treatment (12 dS m-1). From April to October, 2003, the effects of mid day relief of high EC on cherry tomato fruit yield and quality were determined. From February through September, 2004 the effects of super high EC treatment, horizontal air flow (HAF) fan operation and/or delayed fertigation on cherry tomato fruit cracking were studied. |
