Tomato Leaf Development and Distribution as Influenced by Leaf Removal and Decapitation

Abstract

The influence of leaf removal and decapitation (removal of apical bud and top two nodes) of determinate tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill cv. Mountain Pride) plants on canopy development was investigated. Leaf removal and decapitation influenced subsequent leaf development and distribution, and early fruiting of greenhouse-grown tomato plants. `Removal of young axillary leaves increased the size of main (true) leaves in the middle and upper nodes, increased the number of nodes, and increased the number of early fruit produced. Removal of main leaves reduced axillary leaf development at nodes 5 and 9. Decapitation increased axillary leaf development in the middle and upper nodes and delayed early fruit production. These results suggest that cultural practices of tomatoes that remove leaves or apical buds to influence fruiting also affect canopy leaf development and distribution.