Effects of Controlled Water Tables on Yield and Marketability of Field Tomatoes

Abstract

In a 2-year study, tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., cv. New Yorker), grown in a sandy loam in field lysimeters, were subjected to controlled water table treatments (CWTT) of 0.3, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 m from the soil surface, factorially combined, in a central composite design, with 5 K–Ca fertilization combinations, replicated four times. Final shoot mass, no. fruit/plant (yield), percent marketability, fruit dimensions, and the incidence and severity of catfacing and sunscald were measured. In the first, drier year, the two higher, better-irrigated CWTT (0.3 and 0.6 m) gave higher yields, larger fruit, and higher final shoot mass, whereas in the second, wetter year, the two lower, better-drained CWTT (0.8 and 1.0 m) were best. In the dry year, the best-yielding CWTT showed the poorest marketability, while, in the wet year, the best-yielding CWTT showed the best marketability. Severity of catfacing and sunscald did not show consistent variations with CWTT. Fertilizer effects were generally not significant. Results will be discussed in the context of the use of subirrigation in field tomato production.