A Study of the Development of the First Inflorescence of Glasshouse Tomatoes

When seedlings of the Potentate variety of glasshouse tomato began growth at a time of year when the day-length was less than twelve hours and decreasing, development of the first inflorescence ceased at an early stage. When growth began at a time of year when the day-length was more than twelve hours, or less than twelve hours and increasing, normal development of the first inflorescence from initiation to ovary swelling occurred.

When these normal inflorescences reached antbesis and the ovaries began to swell at a time of year when the day-length was more than twelve hours, a large constant percentage of the buds reflexed their petals and nearly all such flowers set fruit. When the day-length became less than twelve hours anthesis and ovary swelling rapidly decreased and ceased.