Tomatoes: Optimum planting stage and plant density for the V-system

This project aimed to establish the optimum planting stage and early plant density for tomatoes grown on the V-system.

At 11,000 plants/acre total yield from the V-system equalled the double row, but early yield was reduced. At 9,200 plants/acre on the V-system yield and fruit quality were lower.

Delaying planting until the second truss was in flower did not affect yield but gave some improvements in fruit quality.

Difficulties and costs of substrate disposal have led to increased interest in growing in reduced volumes of substrate. The V-system involved growing a double row of tomatoes on a single row of substrate and therefor could halve both the cost of purchase and disposal.

The project aimed to establish the optimum planting stage and early plant density to maximise fruit yield, size and quality for this growing system.