Invloed CO2-dosering op groei bij tomaat : tomatenproef 2020

CO2 losses in greenhouse horticulture have to be reduced to reach the emission targets of 2030. In a greenhouse trial with tomato cultivar Merlice three levels of CO2 were supplied to examine effects on growth, yield and fruit quality. Utilization and loss of CO2 were quantified. The crop was not illuminated. Cultivation started in December and lasted ten months. Supplied CO2 levels were either comparable to practice (“Normal”), half (“Less”) or a quarter (“Little”) of this level. Cumulative total biomass was 10% lower in “Little” while the other two treatments had comparable biomass. Stem and leaf thickness and fruit weight increased with CO2 supply level, while photosynthetic properties and fruit quality were not affected. Total ventilation losses of supplied CO2 were considerable and strongly depended on the supply rate when roof vents were open. A model survey showed options for cultivation strategies with lower CO2 supply levels that have lower losses of CO2 with only modest yield loss.