• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.309-313
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• 2014

This research was conducted to establish recommendable side shoot management methods in the growth and yield of tomato in winter. A cherry tomato, $^{\circ}{\times}Unicorn^{\circ}{\pm}$ (Monsanto Korea, Korea) was cultivated in coconut coir in the form of bag as substrate. There were four treatments related to side shoot removal methods; 1) To remove all side shoots and also each one of three leaves which gives shade to each cluster attached below (UP-FL), 2) To remove all side shoots and also each one of three leaves which gives shade to each cluster only with fruit attached below (UP-FR), 3) To remove all side shoots (AS-All), and 4) To remain two leaves of each side shoot coming from right below each cluster (AS-Part). The number of malformed leaves were more in UP-FL, UP-FR, AS-All, and AS-Part in descending order, which showed the severe the removal of leaves the more the malformed leaves. The malformed leaves were diminished after the development stage the second or third cluster bloomed. The yields until fifth cluster were not different among the treatments. Therefore removal of side shoots and leaves recommends not to be done severely in early growth stage when tomato plants are cultivated in winter.