A dynamic tomato growth and yield model (TOMGRO)

ABSTRACT Models of the greenhouse environment and of crops are needed to determine optimal strategies for environment control in regions where new greenhouse industries are developing. In this research, a physiological model of tomato crop development and yield was developed. A series of differential equations represent the changes in numbers and weights of leaves, fruit, and stem segments and in the areas of leaves, as new organs are initiated, age, and senesce or are picked. The model uses a source-sink approach for partitioning carbohydrate into growth of different organs. An experiment was conducted in six outdoor, controlled environment, growth chambers to quantify the effects of temperature, CO2, and light on tomato growth processes for calibrating the model. The model accurately described the differences in growth and yield of tomatoes that were observed in the experiment. With additional testing, the model can be used to help determine strategic and tactical decisions concerning greenhouse environment control over practical ranges of CO2 and temperature.