Evaluation of Deficit Irrigation and Water Quality on Production and Water Productivity of Tomato in Greenhouse

Jeet Chand,Guna Hewa,Ali Hassanli,Baden Myers

doi:10.3390/agriculture10070297

Abstract

This study deals with the evaluation of the effects of deficit irrigation (DI) and water quality (WQ) on the vegetative and productive response of greenhouse-grown tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Izmir). A pot-based experiment was carried out over two growing seasons. Three WQ: (groundwater, recycled wastewater and a mix of both) were applied in four irrigation scenarios which targeted soil moisture content (SMC) maintaining at 60%, 70%, 80% and 100% of field capacity (FC). Results showed that both DI and WQ had significant effects on crop development, yield and water productivity. The highest values of plant height (186.0 ± 0.58 cm) and stem diameter (23.40 ± 0.02 mm) were found at 100% FC (control). Total yield ranged from 2.33 ± 0.03 kg/plant (60% FC) to 4.05 ± 0.06 kg/plant (control). However, mild water stress (SMC maintaining at 80% FC) showed a positive effect on irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) without significant yield reduction compared to control. IWUE was at its maximum (31.77 ± 0.47 kg/m3) at 80% FC. A DI regime based on 80% FC could be an efficient irrigation strategy particularly in water-limiting condition. Recycled wastewater was superior among the three WQ for achieving a better crop growth, yield and water productivity at same DI level.

Highlights

Water is a scarce resource; its future management must be carefully considered in a holistic approach that can successfully coordinate water, food and environmental needs [1]
The work presented in this paper focuses on production of this Izmir cultivar and the specific objectives are: (1) to investigate and analyze the effects of different deficit irrigation (DI) level and water quality (WQ) on crop development parameters, potential yield and water productivity (IWUE and marginal productivity of water); (2) to determine the optimum DI level for a given source
This study indicated that morphological characteristics ( plant height (PH) and stem diameter (SD)) of greenhouse-grown tomatoes were adversely affected in water-stressed scenarios

Summary

Introduction

Water is a scarce resource; its future management must be carefully considered in a holistic approach that can successfully coordinate water, food and environmental needs [1]. Chenoweith and Bird [2] explained some important approaches for agricultural water management including technological advancement, identification of new water sources and modernization of management techniques. There is a need to enhance irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) to make agriculture more productive, profitable and sustainable [3,4]. Semi-arid and all regions where water resources are scarce; designing and managing an efficient irrigation system to achieve the highest possible IWUE is a pertinent issue [5,6]. Improved IWUE helps to achieve sustainability in water use and contributes to increase the competitiveness of agricultural production [7]. Using alternative sources of water and employing efficient irrigation management strategies are the two immediate remedies for sustainable agricultural development where water supply is limited [8]

Objectives

Results

Conclusion