TOMATO IN ROW SPACING RESPONSES AND IMPLICATIONS

Celebrity Hybrid tomatoes were grown in six ft rows at spacings of 16, 19.2, and 24 inches, equivalent to 4506, 3755, and 3004 plants/acre (in 6008.3-ft planted row/acre) using BPE mulch, seep hose irrigation and Florida weave trellising. Thirty-eight-day marketable yields were 2192, 2273, and 2049 lb boxes (25 lb)/acre respectively, and 88-day marketable yields were 2533, 2917, and 2665 boxes/acre. Estimated spacings maximizing 38- and 88-day marketable yield (Ymax) were 18.37 inches (3925 ppa, Ymax 2274 box/acre) and 19.61 inches (3677 ppa, Ymax 2919 boxes/acre), respectively. Using a combined plant and staking cost of $1.00/plant and marketable tomato price of $2.50/box, the optimal spacings were estimated at 21.71 inches for 88 days (3321 ppa, 2848 boxes/acre), and 22.64 inches for 38 days (3185 ppa, 2126 boxes/acre). Yields increased almost linearly thru the first 38 days of harvest, slowed due to low fruit set (high temperatures), then resumed augmentation to day 88. Fruit size declined about 20% from early to late season. Ymkt as percent of total was highest at widest spacing (78.0% vs. 74.3% and 74.6% for other two). Higher yields/a were obtained only in first 10 days from the closest spacing. Thereafter wider spacings generally gave higher yields/acre. Yields per plant increased with spacing. Yield fluctuations over the season have implications for labor management. Plants per acre and closely associated costs (setting, trellising) impacted estimated optimal populations and thus spacings.