Xiaxia Lin¹ , Mengting Luo²

1 Wenzhou Zheweixian Agricultural Technology Development Co., Ltd, Wenzhou, 325800, Zhejiang, China
2 Institute of Life Sciences, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China
Author    Correspondence author
Plant Gene and Trait, 2026, Vol. 17, No. 1   
Received: 15 Jan., 2026    Accepted: 14 Feb., 2026    Published: 22 Feb., 2026

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

This study explores the key agronomic trait basis, physiological-ecological mechanisms, and regulatory pathways underlying high and stable yield formation in protected tomato production. Protected tomato cultivation plays an important role in ensuring year-round vegetable supply and increasing yield per unit area; however, yield stability is often affected by environmental fluctuations, suboptimal canopy structure, and mismatched management practices. Based on a systematic review of recent studies, this study summarizes the major trait foundations associated with high and stable yield from the perspectives of plant growth, flowering and fruit set, fruit development, and root characteristics. It focuses on the roles of plant architecture, internode length, the balance between vegetative and reproductive growth, inflorescence number and pollen viability, single fruit weight and fruit enlargement dynamics, as well as root vigor and health in determining yield and its stability. Meanwhile, the effects of environmental factors such as temperature, light, humidity, and CO₂ on tomato growth and fruit set are reviewed, and the contributions of integrated management practices-including optimal planting density, pruning, fertigation, supplemental lighting, pollination techniques, and grafting-are discussed. Finally, future trends in intelligent environmental control, breeding of high-yield and stress-resistant varieties, and green efficient production systems are highlighted, achieving high and stable yield in protected tomato production depends on the coordinated optimization of traits, environment, and management.

Protected tomato; High and stable yield; Cultivation traits; Environmental regulation; Integrated water and fertilizer management