Assisting Natural Wind Pollination of Field Tomatoes with an Air Blower Enhances Yield This is the abstract of an article by H. Y. Hanna which appeared in "HortScience" 34(5):846-847. 1999.
Studies were conducted in 1994, 1995, and 1997 to determine the effect of assisting natural wind pollination, using an air blower, on yield and fruit characteristics of three tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) cultivars. Tomato plants and flowers in the air-blower-assisted treatment were vigorously vibrated at midday every other day on sunny days for 4 weeks. Plants and flowers in the control treatment were exposed to ambient wind only.
Early yield was significantly greater in the treated plants at 2 years; marketable and total yields for all tested cultivars were significantly greater in all years; and yields of culls were significantly lower at 2 years. Fruit weight and diameter and number of seeds per fruit were increased in all years.
This article appeared in the July 2000 issue of Vegetable Production & Marketing News, edited by Frank J. Dainello, Ph.D., and produced by Extension Horticulture, Texas Agricultural Extension Service, The Texas A&M Univerisity System, College Station, Texas.