FLOWERING, FRUIT SET, FRUIT DEVELOPMENT AND FRUIT QUALITY UNDER DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS IN TOMATO AND PEPPER CROPS

Tomato and pepper are important vegetable crops, grown under protected cultivation. Their production is most successful under conditions of abundant irradiation and mild temperature ranges. The mediterranean climate offers such conditions during the autumn and spring seasons. However, during the winter season, temperatures and irradiation are suboptimal. In the following paper we present and discuss developmental problems in tomato and pepper production which are associated with unfavorable climatic conditions.

Temperature and irradiation conditions at the early stages of flower development are important factors which determine yield and fruit quality. Low temperature and low irradiation cause improper ovary development, malformation of the flowers and production of unviable pollen in both crops. In pepper, under low temperature, fruit-set is increased, although parthenocarpic and malformed fruits are produced. In tomato, low temperature prevents fertilization and therefore, decreases fruit set. Conditions of low temperature affect fruit shape, pericarp cracking and pigmentation in pepper. In tomato, low temperature and low irradiation cause puffiness and blotchy ripening. Low irradiation decreases the content of