Pruning and population density as smart solution to sustainable tomato production

The study evaluated the effects of pruning and plant spacing on tomato production from January 13 to April 13, 2025, in Salinungan West, San Mateo, Isabela. A Randomized Complete Block Design was used with two factors: Factor A (Pruning) – zero, three, four, and five branches; and Factor B (Spacing) – 75×30 cm, 75×40 cm, and 75×50 cm. Pruning had no impact regarding plant height at 30 and 60 days following transplanting (DAT) but pruning to four or five branches increased plant height at 90 DAT as well as the number of branches. Although pruning was unable to influence the total fruits produced per plant, five-branch pruning enhanced fruit diameter, fruit weight for each plant and total yield per hectare. Plants spaced at 75 × 30 cm were tallest at 30 DAT, but plant height was similar across all spacing treatments at 60 and 90 DAT. Wider spacing (75×50 cm) resulted in more fruits, larger fruit size, heavier fruit weight, and higher yield. No significant interaction was observed between pruning and spacing on plant height, number of branches, or fruit diameter. However, pruning to five branches, regardless of spacing, produced the heaviest fruit weight per plant and the highest yield per hectare. published by the International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research | IJAAR