PLANTING DATES FOR GREENHOUSE TOMATO CULTIVATION USING THE 'BANDEIRANTE' MODEL IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL

Resumo

This study aimed to assess the profitability and fruit yield associated with tomato planting dates in a "Bandeirante" model greenhouse. The treatments were four planting dates: September 15, 2020, October 21, 2020, November 27, 2020, and January 4, 2021. The experimental design used randomized complete blocks, with six replicates. The Coronel® hybrid tomato was chosen for this experiment. The number and yield of marketable fruits in the extra AA and extra A classes, as well as the proportion of unmarketable fruits and the gross income were measured. The data analysis utilized analysis of variance, and when statistical differences were identified, means comparisons were made using Tukey's test at a 5% significance level. The highest marketable yield was recorded for the second planting date (163.6 t/ha), which did not significantly differ from the first planting date (143.4 t/ha). In contrast, the lowest marketable yield was observed for the fourth planting date (53.0 t/ha), significantly differing from the third planting date (105.9 t/ha). These results indicate that early planting times, specifically in September and October, yielded the highest productivity and fruit quality, which correlated with increased gross income, partially due to higher average market prices during these periods.