DRIP IRRIGATION OF PROCESSING TOMATOES IN PORTUGAL

ISHS Acta Horticulturae 542: VII International Symposium on the Processing Tomato

DRIP IRRIGATION OF PROCESSING TOMATOES IN PORTUGAL

Authors:

C.M. Portas, C. Correia

Abstract:
The use of drip irrigation for processing tomato production in Portugal began in the early 1990´s, and currently represents at least 95% of the total area dedicated for that crop. Drip irrigation began in Portugal in the Ribatejo region with the melon crop, and was subsequently adopted for processing tomato production. Before the emergence of drip irrigation, irrigation was mostly done through the gravity (furrow) method, which limited tomato production to areas with developed surface water systems and leveled fields. The use of drip irrigation has revolutionized the processing tomato industry, allowing production in new areas of the country, increasing yield, increasing acreage of individual growers, and improving the efficiency of mechanical harvesting. To summarize the current situation in Portugal:

Drip irrigation and fertigation is now used on approximately 95% of the cultivated area.
The remaining 5% are linked to irrigated by gravity or sprinkler irrigation (center pivot).

The success of drip irrigation has been due to:

increase in fruit yield;
economizing labour and irrigation water;
automatization of irrigation systems;
ability to irrigate nearly any soil
all mechanized activities (transplanting, mechanical harvesting) are far more efficient

Yield increases of 20-40% have been achieved, as well as an overall improvement in fruit quality. However, fruit soluble solids have declined overall. The level of sophistication of the industry is high. Automated systems are common. Irrigation scheduling based on reference evapotranspiration (ETo) is practiced, as is nutrient monitoring of both soil and crop. The use of drip irrigation for processing tomato production in Portugal has been a significant success. Growers understand the system well, and continue to improve their overall management practices.