The organic system negatively influenced leaf area index, water
use efficiency, fruit and total dry weight of processing tomato. On
the other hand, the organic cropping systems increased intercellular CO2concentration, transpiration and the stomatal conductance
of processing tomato. The higher transpiration level and the higher
intercellular CO2concentration in the organic system is, however,
not correlated with a reduction in net assimilation, while the higher
transpiration level in the organic system is coupled to lower WUE
and higher stomatal conductance in the organic system. For all
genotypes investigated, an adequate leaf area index is necessary
for a good dry matter production in the last phase of the growing
cycle in both cropping systems. In particular, cultivars that show a
stable LAI in both cropping systems, medium force and elongated
fruit can be better suited for organic cultivation in Mediterranean
environments