Evaluation and adaptation of TOMGRO model to Italian tomato protected crops

A simplified version of TOMGRO, a well-known model for tomato growth simulation, was delivered by its authors in 1999, with the aim to adapt the program to operational exigencies. This model version was chosen to integrate the functions of a decision support tool, oriented to support Italian tomato growers in soilless crop fertigation management. During the preliminary evaluation phase, its application on data collected in three greenhouse experiments conducted on tomato cv. Jama in Pisa (central Italy) in 2004 and 2005, showed an insufficient accuracy in the Leaf Area Index (LAI) estimation of tomato crops. Consequently, node number and LAI computational algorithms were modified. This paper discusses model modifications, analysing their effects on tomato growth simulation. In comparison with the observed data, the modified model showed a good enhancement of estimation accuracy of node and LAI, with significantly positive effects also on plant and fruit biomass estimation.