Yield Response of Tomatoes to Soil Moisture Regimes PDF

Keywords

irrigation, soil, tomatoes

Abstract

The effect of two irrigation frequencies (daily and every 3 days) and three water application rates (3, 6 and 9 mm/day) on the growth and yield of tomatoes were investigated under the relatively warm and humid winter conditions of Oman in the Gulf region. The three water application rates were 0.6, 1.2 and 1.8 times the reference evapotranspiration as computed by the Penman modified method, and corresponding to maximum soil moisture tensions of more than 100K Pa, less than 80K Pa and field capacity, respectively. Daily- and every 3-day irrigations did not produce any statistically detected effects on fruit weights, numbers, dry matter content and total yield or on root volume of tomatoes. Significant differences were obtained in total yield and fruit weights when the application rates were increased from 3 mm/day (0.6 ETo) to 6mm/day (1.2 ETo) with no significant increase in yield or fruit weight when further increasing the application rate of 9 mm/day (1.8 ETo). Maintaining less than 80 K Pa soil moisture tensions optimized yield and fruit numbers, whereas maintaining field capacity levels maximized fresh fruit weights. Fruit setting, percent dry matter and root weight and volume of tomatoes were not affected by any of the soil moisture regimes adopted.