A Detailed Guide to the Latest Pollination Methods for Greenhouse Tomatoes

Tomatoes are self-pollinating plants. When grown outdoors, they can be pollinated by wind and insects, but when grown in a greenhouse, because the environment is enclosed and lacks the necessary factors, pollination is relatively difficult, which affects the quality and yield of the tomatoes. So how should greenhouse tomatoes be pollinated in order to improve their quality and yield? Let's take a look together.

1. Hormone flower treatment

Hormone flower treatment uses plant growth regulators to break the tomato's original hormone balance and form a new balance, so as to facilitate the transport of the original hormones to the flower parts, improve fruit set, and increase yield. Common plant hormones include anti-drop agents, 2,4-D, gibberellin and other growth hormones. They are sprayed onto the flower clusters at an appropriate concentration, or the flower clusters are dipped into the solution. However, when using them, be sure not to let the solution touch the branches and leaves, so as to avoid deformed growth of the branches and leaves.

2. Manual pollination

Manual pollination is simple and direct. It means using a brush or cotton swab to transfer pollen from the stamens to the pistils, thereby ensuring that the plant can be pollinated precisely. The advantage of this method is an extremely high pollination rate, but the disadvantage is that it is time-consuming and labor-intensive. It is only suitable for small-area cultivation; for large-area cultivation, this method obviously cannot be achieved.

3. Vibration pollination

Vibration pollination means using a vibrator to vibrate the flowers, so that the pollen in the flowers quickly disperses, thereby increasing the chance of successful pollination. During the tomato flowering period, use a vibration pollinator to vibrate the tomato flower cluster stalks, causing the pollen to disperse and fall onto the stigma, promoting fruit set. However, be very careful during operation to avoid injuring the plant and flower clusters.

4. Bumblebee pollination

Bumblebees are highly efficient pollinators for greenhouse, large greenhouse, arched shed and open-field crops. They are large in size, have strong collecting ability, and pollinate a wide range of crops. They can collect nectar and pollen from deep-corolla flowers such as tomatoes, peppers and eggplants, and their buzz pollination effect is remarkable. By making use of bumblebees' low-temperature tolerance, strong moisture resistance and poor phototaxis, they can pollinate greenhouse crops in any season.

  The above is an introduction to how greenhouse tomatoes should be pollinated. I hope it can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.