Effects of different irrigation methods on yield, water use efficiency and fruit quality of tomato

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of different water supply conditions (regulated deficit irrigation - RDI, partial root drying - PRD and full irrigation - FI) on the yield, water use efficiency and fruit quality in tomato plants. Investigations included measurements of yield parameters (number of fruits, a fruit diameter, fruit FW and fruit DW), water use efficiency (WUE) and parameters of fruit quality (sugar, organic acid and lycopene content in fruits). Obtained results showed that partial root drying and regulated deficit irrigation reduced yield by18% comparing to control plants. Also, these methods of irrigation increased water use efficiency and reduced quantity of water for irrigation by 40%. Partial root drying and regulated deficit irrigation increased quality of fruit (especially sugar and organic acid content). These results showed that it was possible to increase fruit quality and to save water for irrigation without significant reduction of yield.

Cilj ovih istraživanja je bio da se prouči uticaj različitih metoda navodnjavanja (regulisani deficit navodnjavanja (RDI), delimično sušenje korenova (PRD) i optimalno navodnjavanje (FI)) na prinos, efikasnost usvajanja vode i kvalitet plodova kod biljaka paradajza. Ispitivanja su obuhvatila merenje parametara prinosa (broj, prečnik, svežu i suvu masu plodova), efikasnost korišćenja vode (WUE), kao i parametre kvaliteta plodova (sadržaj šećera, organskih kiselina i likopena u plodovima). Dobijeni rezultati su pokazali da su metode delimičnog navodnjavanja korenova i regulisanog deficita navodnjavanja uticale na redukcije prinosa za oko 18% u odnosu na kontrolu. Takođe, ove metode navodnjavanja su uticale na povećanje efikasnosti korišćenja vode i redukovale su količinu vode za navodnjavanje za 40%. Delimično sušenje korenova i regulisani deficit navodnjavanja su poboljšali kvalitet plodova (posebno sadržaj šećera i organskih kiselina). Ovi rezultati su pokazali da se i po cenu manje redukcije prinosa može ostvariti kvalitetan prinos, a da se pri tome značajno uštedi voda za navodnjavanje.