THE IMPACT OF DIFFERENT METHODS USED FOR IMPROVING FLOWER BIND UPON THE YIELD OF SOME TOMATO HYBRIDS CULTIVATED ON MINERAL WOOL SUBSTRATE IN INDUSTRIAL GREENHOUSES.

Obtaining high and superior qualitative tomato yields, in conditions of forced culture system, being economically profitable, depends on modernizing the culture technology. In classical Venlo industrial greenhouses, modernization is possible till the technical limit allowed by their construction type. Among the technological links that can be modernized, and to which we refer in this study, are the following: cultivation of performant hybrids with high quantitative and qualitative potential (Noralee F1 and Marissa F1); fertilization during vegetation with modern chemicals, completely soluble (Yara and Haifa Chemicals), applied using drip irrigation system; using mineral wool as culture substrate (Grodan) and applying new and efficient methods for improving flower bind (pollination with bumblebees - Biobest or Natupol). This article presents the impact of all these modernized technological links upon the quantitative and qualitative tomatoes yields. Tomato-Stim determined large tomato yields, but the best results upon the yield quantity and quality were obtained from those tomato plants where natural pollination was improved by the use of bumblebees. Most of the results showed that the quality of the obtained yields (namely Extra+Ist quality) finds itself in a reversed proportionality with the production quantity per hectare. The influence of both graduation of the fertigation systems are substantiated in the very close quantitative production and from a statistic point of view were not covered, as there were no significant production differences. Results lead us to recommend the cultivation of Noralee F1 hybrid, the use of any of the fertilizers Yara and Haifa Chemicals via fertigation and the use of bumblebees (Biobest or Natupol) to improve the tomato flower binding and to obtain superior quality fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]