Fruit production and classification of four cherry tomato genotypes under an organic cropping system

a field experiment was carried out in the instituto de ciências agrárias of universidade federal de minas gerais, montes claros, mg, brazil, during the summer of 2008-2009, to evaluate the productive features of cherry tomato genotypes cultivated under different spacing, in an organic cropping system. the experimental design was randomized blocks in a 3x4 factorial scheme with three replications. the experimental plot was made up of four rows (spaced 1.00 m between rows) with thirty two plants each, utilizing the eight central plants for the analysis. the treatments consisted of three genotypes of cherry tomatoes (ch152, cln1561-a and carolina) and four spacings between plants (0.40; 0.60; 0.80; 1.00 m). the fruit percentage in the different diameter classes and the commercial fruits yield per plant and hectare were evaluated. the ch152 genotype produced a greater percentage of noncommercial fruit (with diameter less than 20 mm). the greatest percentage of fruit classified with the largest diameters (above 30 mm) was achieved by the cln1561a genotype. the highest commercial yields of fruit per plant and per area were found in the cln1561a genotype, pointing it out as a promising genotype for an organic crop in the summer in the north of minas gerais.