ISHS Acta Horticulturae 664: IV International Symposium on Irrigation of Horticultural Crops
CROP EVAPOTRANSPIRATION OF PROCESSING TOMATO UNDER FURROW AND SUBSURFACE DRIP IRRIGATION |
| Authors: | B.R. Hanson, D.M. May |
| Keywords: | Lycopersicon lycopersicum (L.), evapotranspiration, furrow irrigation, subsurface drip irrigation, processing tomato, irrigation |
| Abstract:
CALFED, a consortium involved in reallocating water in California, has hypothesized that converting from surface/sprinkler irrigation to subsurface drip irrigation would reduce evaporation losses and result in a real water savings. Evapotranspiration of processing tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum (L.)) was determined for subsurface drip-and furrow-irrigated fields to assess their hypothesis. Evapotranspiration was determined using the Bowen Ratio Energy Balance Method at locations along the Westside of the San Joaquin Valley of California. Results showed more seasonal evapotranspiration for the furrow irrigation system compared to the drip system in 2001, but lower ET for the furrow system occurred in 2002. The higher 2001 seasonal ET of the furrow system was caused by evaporation from a wet soil during the initial and rapid growth stages where relatively small canopy coverage existed. These losses reflected the management of that furrow irrigation system, which completely wet the soil across the bed during the early irrigations. In 2002, the management of the furrow irrigation system resulted in less wetting of the soil surface compared to the 2001 furrow system, which reduced evaporation losses. A longer crop season also contributed to the higher seasonal ET of 2002 drip system. ET rates during the mid-season growth stage were similar for both irrigation methods. | |
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