The growth rates of fruits on different parts of the tomato plant and the effect of water stress on dry weight accumulation

The rate of dry-weight accumulation was found to be higher in early- than in later-setting fruits and was unaffected by the water regime. Water stress shortened the duration of fruit growth and accelerated ripening. When expressed as final dry-weight yield, the proportion of fruit set during the first week of flowering was significantly higher than that of later-setting fruit. Under water stress more than 40% of the final dry-weight yield was contributed by fruits set during the first week of flowering, as compared with 30% under non-stress conditions. The competition for assimilates between the various fruits is discussed.