Yield and water use of cherry tomato under water availability and potassium doses

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the yield and water use of cherry tomatoes under soil water availability and potassium (K) doses in a greenhouse. The experiment was conducted in randomized blocks in a 52 fractional factorial design, corresponding to five levels of water availability and five K doses, with 13 combinations (4-0; 4-250; 4-500; 14-125; 14-375; 24-0; 24-250; 24-500; 34-125; 34-375; 44-0; 44-250; 44-500) (kPa-mg dm-3) and four replicates. A drip irrigation system with semi-automated irrigation control was used. The analyzed variables were shoot dry matter, number of fruits, yield, water consumption and water use efficiency. Highest cherry tomato yield occurs at soil water tension of 24 kPa and K dose of 290 mg dm-3. Soil water tension of 44 kPa and K dose of 290 mg dm-3 allow for higher water use efficiency in cherry tomato. Cherry tomato yield and water use are influenced by soil water availability and K doses in greenhouse.

Nutritional status of cherry tomato with omission of macronutrients

“…These results confirm the importance of K during fruit formation. Ho & Adams (1995) highlighted that this nutrient is accumulated in the tomato fruit to standardize ripening and increase its acidity levels, so K is responsible for the quality and taste of the fruit, attributed to its function in the transport of photoassimilates through the phloem (Pacheco et al, 2018).…”

Phytometric characteristics and chlorophyll index of “Paiaguás” grass (Urochloa brizantha) as a function of wood ash doses and soil water stress

“…In this way, 13 combinations of wood ash doses and soil water tensions were studied, respectively: 0-4; 0-16; 0-64; 8-8; 8-32; 16-4; 16-16; 16-64; 24-8; 24-32; 32-4; 32-16; 32-64. The experimental units were composed of pots made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) pipes 300 mm high by 200 mm in diameter, according to Pacheco et al (2018). We added 8.7 dm 3 of a Dystrophic Oxisol to each pot, which was collected from the 0-20 cm layer in an area under Cerrado vegetation.…”

“…Soil moisture was related to soil water tension in a pilot experiment with the same soil and the same wood ash doses. In order to increase soil moisture to the established values of each treatment (4, 8, 16, 32 and 64 kPa), the water was replaced by a semiautomated drip irrigation system (Pacheco et al, 2018) (Table 3). Soil water tensions were applied along with the application of wood ash at the beginning of the incubation period (30 days before sowing).…”

Wood ash and water availability in the production of Paiaguás-grass

“…Subsequently, the soil was sifted into a 4-mm mesh opening to fill the vessels. The experimental units were composed of pots adapted made with PVC, polyvinyl chloride, described by Pacheco et al (2018), with 300 mm, 200 mm in diameter, totaling a soil volume of 8.7 dm 3 .…”

“…Soil volumetric moisture was related to soil water tension in a pilot experiment using the same soil and doses of wood ash, for determination of the waterslide to be applied in each experimental unit. Water replenishments were performed by the semi-automated drip irrigation system (Pacheco et al, 2018), in order to increase soil moisture to the established values of each treatment (4; 8; 16; 32 and 64 kPa) ( Table 3). The control of soil volumetric moisture was performed by means of the capacitance probe model Diviner 2000 ® .…”