In order to investigate the effect of nighttime temperature (NT) on adult stage tomato plants in greenhouse, an experiment was conducted by using natural light growth chamber. Tomato plants were treated with 4 nighttime temperature as natural NT (CK), 14, 16, and 18 degrees C, on condition of the same daytime temperature (DT). Actual NT of CK, 14, 16, and 18 degrees C treatments were 13.1, 13.4, 14.7, and 16.3 degrees C, respectively. Physiological response, photosynthesis, dry matter accumulation and production of tomato plant under different NT treatments were determined. The results showed that, tomato plants under CK treatment suffered lower temperature press periodically, and the membrane system was damaged to some extent, resulting in the lowest dry matter accumulation and nearly no early yield (28 g mature fruit per plant). Compared with CK, dry matter accumulation of tomato plant under 14 degrees C treatment was increased significantly, early yield was 304 g per plant, and total production was increased by 58% (immature fruit included). As for the 18 degrees C treatment, the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) of tomato plant was significantly increased by 10.6%-12.5%, dry matter accumulation was increased by 26%, flower time was advanced by 4-12 days, fruit number per plant was 3.8, fresh matter per fruit was increased by 42.7 g, early yield per plant was 476 g, and the total production per plant was increased by 101%. All the items under 16 degrees C treatment were between those under 14 degrees C and 18 degrees C treatments. Therefore, at DT of 22 degrees C, the low NT limit was 13.4 degrees C and the optimal NT should be above 16.3 degrees C for greenhouse tomato plants in autumn and winter in North China.