The components of loss in tomato production were identified and quantified, in the summer-autumn period. The critial component and the key factor in the cultivation loss become evident using the methodology of the crop life table. The experiment was conducted at the Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, from January to June 2001 and consisted of two treatments (cultivars Santa Clara and F1 Débora Plus) in a randomized complete block design with 5 replications. During the tomato cycle, the number of dead plants, the causes of this and the number of flowers and fruits/plant were evaluated. At harvest, the healthy fruits were counted, weighted and classified; the causes of fruit damage were identified and the loss quantified. Total loss was more influenced by the fluctuation of the component plants (r=0,89) (P<0,01) than by other production components; consequently, plants were considered the critical production components of tomato. TSWV virus was the only factor affecting plant death, being considered the key-factor in the loss of this tomato production.
Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.; crop life table; tomato spotted wilt virus; TSWV
