ISHS Acta Horticulturae 278: Symposium on Scheduling of Irrigation for Vegetable Crops under Field Condition
DEFICIT DRIP IRRIGATION OF MARKET TOMATOES ON THREE SOIL TYPES |
| Authors: | H.H. Fischer, P.C. Nel |
| Abstract:
Market tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill cv Flora Dade) were subjected to daily drip irrigation at 50% and 80% of USWB class A pan evaporation (Ep) on deep sandy loam, sandy clay and clay plots equipped with an automatic rain shelter. Soil water to a depth of 2.8 m and plant water stress were monitored. Leaf growth, yield, fruit size, maturing rate, grading and shelf life were also determined. Irrigating at 50% of Ep decreased yield and fruit size significantly due to greater soil water depletion and increased plant water stress during the fruit development and early ripening stages. It is concluded that high tomato yields can be obtained under deficit drip irrigation provided enough rain water can be stored in the soil to supply the crop with sufficient water during the critical fruit development and early ripening stages. | |
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