High Tunnel Cultivation: Evaluating the Growth and Productivity of Different Tomato Varieties

Tomato cultivation across various systems, including solar greenhouses and open fields, is vital for ensuring a continuous and diverse supply of fresh produce. This study aimed to evaluate the growth and yield performance of three tomato hybrids—Polfast F1 (V1), Rila F1 (V2), and Naslanda F1 (V3)—under high tunnel conditions in Bragadiru, Romania. Given the increasing importance of controlled environments in optimizing crop production, this research sought to identify the most suitable tomato hybrids for high tunnel cultivation. The experiments were conducted in Bragadiru, Ilfov County, Romania, over two growing cycles from April to July in 2022 and 2023. The data represent average results from both years. Key growth and yield metrics such as plant height, leaf development, fruit set percentage, and overall yield were analyzed. The findings revealed both positive and negative linear correlations between greenhouse conditions and productivity attributes. Naslanda F1 (V3) exhibited the tallest seedlings early in growth (27.3 cm) and the highest leaf count (9.6), while Polfast F1 (V1). At maturity, Rila F1 (V2) attained the greatest height (155.6 cm) and the highest leaf count (24.3), with Polfast F1 (V1) being the shortest (119.7 cm). Rila F1 (V2) also led in fruit set percentages, with 94.57% in the first inflorescence and 87.32% in the fifth, while Naslanda F1 (V3) had the highest fruit mass (0.240 kg) and yield per square meter (19.36 kg/m²). Additionally, Rila F1 produced the most fruits per plant (33.6). Strong correlations were found between plant height and both leaf number (R² = 0.794) and fruit mass (R² = 0.8938). These results indicate that Naslanda F1 and Rila F1 are particularly well-suited for high tunnel environments, offering substantial potential for enhanced productivity. This study underscores the importance of hybrid selection in maximizing crop yields within protected agriculture systems, thereby contributing to sustainable agricultural practices and food security.