Productivity and quality of tomato submitted to irrigation levels using mulching in economic beds

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate irrigation levels in tomato crops, using economical beds with mulch. A randomized block design within a split-plot had run in a 2 x 5 factorial treatment scheme structure, with four replications. The plots were the five irrigation levels (50, 75, 100, 125, and 150%) of crop Evapotranspiration (ETc), and subplots were two tomato varieties RASTEIRO RIO GRANDE (RR) (Lycopersicon lycopersicum) and CALINE IPA- 7 (IPA) (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). In the end, 40 experimental units consisting of five plants each were evaluated. The variables assessed were tomato productivity (PROD), fruit mass (FM), volume (VOL), fruit diameter (DIA), titratable acidity (TA), hydrogen potential (pH), soluble solids (° Brix), and soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio (SS/AT). The results showed that the irrigation level of 117.85% of ETc provide greater productivity for a cultivar RASTEIRO RIO GRANDE, while for CALINE IPA-7, it was 150% of ETc. The variety CALINE IPA-7 had higher acidity content and lower soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio. The addition of irrigation levels influenced a decrease in acidity content by applying levels of up to 125% of ETc.