Prescriptive-Corrective Irrigation and Macronutrient Management in Greenhouse Soil-Grown Tomato Using the VegSyst-DSS v2 Decision Support Tool

Abstract

This work relates to greenhouse vegetable production in soil in Almeria, Spain. The prescriptive–corrective management (PCM) of irrigation and fertilization (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) was evaluated. PCM combined recommendations (prescriptive management) for irrigation and nutrients made with the VegSyst-DSS v2, a decision support system, with monitoring (corrective management) using tensiometers (for irrigation) and petiole sap analysis (for nutrients). PCM was compared with conventional farmer management (CONV). The VegSyst-DSS v2 recommends applied nutrient concentrations considering simulated crop uptake, available soil nutrient supply, and evapotranspiration (ETc). This study was conducted with soil-grown tomato in a plastic greenhouse. Nutrients were applied in nutrient solution via drip fertigation. Compared to CONV management, PCM reduced irrigation by 25%, N, K, and Mg application by 40%, Ca by 58%, and P by 85%. There were no significant differences between treatments in fruit production and quality, despite appreciable reductions in irrigation and nutrient application. An economic analysis indicated that in this 7-month tomato crop, PCM compared to CONV management was associated with a financial saving of 1611 € ha−1. These results showed that by using prescriptive–corrective fertigation management, based on the VegSyst-DSS v2, considerable savings can be achieved in water and nutrient (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) inputs to greenhouse tomato without compromising production. This can reduce farmer costs and the environmental impact associated with these greenhouse production systems.