Hi, We are working on tomato cultivation under greenhouse. In last season- we found excellent vegetative growth but no flowering observed and hence crop fail. What could be the reason of no flowering?
There may be several reasons. Some possibilities may be too much N fertilizer and insufficient light (including high planting densities) which may enhance vegetative growth and reduce flowering. Be sure to check you are providing adequate nutrition to the crop.
Delay in first flower bud initiation of Solanum melongena at low temperature was reported. This was further delayed when combined with increasing light intensity.
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/01140670709510167
It’s been reported that “high temperatures or low light conditions can promote the exsertion of the style from the anther cone resulting in a reduction of pollination and an increase in flower abortion due to failure to pollinate (Atherton and Harris 1986, Ho and Hewitt 1986)” (link below: the discussion on flowering may be seen).
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$Department/deptdocs.nsf/all/opp7957
The following articles may also be seen
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-94-009-3137-4_4
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-71018-6_38
Many reasons may be suggested for the problem you mention. You can pick the one that suits you.
a) excessive vegetative growth due to the genotype,
b) improper fertilization (excessive nitrogen)
c) high temperatures that induce flower or fruit abortion and in very high temperatures may make pollen infertile or dry flower stigmata and pollination does not take place
d) irregular irrigation which again induce flower or fruit abortion
e) insufficient pollination due to lack of bees or other insects
f) low temperatures (
Beside all the listed reasons so far , we find sometimes hormonal imbalance may cause delay or no flowering. In that case NAA may be very effective.
The are many reasons for insufficient flowering of tomato. The climate of the growth environment is a matter of fact. The high and low temperature and excessive humidity hinder flowering. İdeally the temperature should be over 15C and below 36C for flower and fruit set. Very high day and night temperature differences can be a problem as well. It should be ideally 6-8C. İdeal day temperature is 24-28C night temperature 16-20C.
Irrigation schedule is also significiant. Three day irrigation interval is accepted apropriete. Some time to promote flower set short time water stress may induce flowering and fruit set.
Phosphorus, Boron and Copper elements have crtical atttributes for flowering and fruit setting. Thus we should have some information about the nutritional status of the plant.
Check that you have enough nutrients supplied to the plants and maybe a slow release fertilizer like Osmocote (contains trace elements) may help next time you try to grow your tomatoes again. Add to potting mix when transplanting or repotting.
Just like my other colleagues have suggested, too much N can possibly cause lush vegetative growth but does not initiate flowering. You need K to initiate this.
Hope this helps
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