Seismic Stress Effects on Reproductive Structures of Tomato, Potato, and Marigold

Periodic seismic (shaking) stress influenced the growth of sexual and asexual reproductive structures of three cultivated species. It delayed anthesis of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. 'Patio' but not of Tagetes erecta L. 'Jubilee' or Solanum tuberosum L. 'Kennebec'. Shaken 'Jubilee' marigold plants produced the same number of flowers as undisturbed plants, but flowers of shaken plants were smaller. In contrast, seismic-stressed 'Patio' tomato produced fewer buds and flowers, but fruit set was enhanced relative to that of controls. Seismic stress also reduced tuber weight of 'Kennebec' potato, whereas tuber number was unaffected. The overall effect of seismic stress was to reduce the growth of reproductive structures and, in some cases, the number of reproductive structures that developed.