Irrigation frequency and substrate volume effects in the growth and yield of tomato plants under greenhouse conditions

Abstract

Tomato cropping (Solanum lycopersicum L.) under protected cultivation using substrates and drip fertigation has improved sustainable production systems especially fruit quality and plant health. However, little is known for tomato plants when considering the interaction between substrate volume and irrigation frequency. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) fiber substrate volumes and drip irrigation frequencies on the vegetative growth and fruit yield of tomato plants under greenhouse conditions. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks arranged in a 3 × 2 factorial with four replicates. Treatments consisted of three substrate volumes (5.0; 7.5 and 10.0 L per plant) and two irrigation frequencies (once and five times per day). Leaf area index tended to increase in plants grown with the largest substrate volume (10 L). Although substrate volumes affected shoot dry matter, no effects on tomato yield and its components were observed. However, plants grown with 5 L of substrate and irrigated once a day produced a greater number of non-marketable fruit due to the higher incidence of calcium deficiency symptoms (blossom end rot). When plants were grown in 5 L or 7.5 L of substrate volume, high irrigation frequency favored the vegetative growth, stomatal conductance, CO 2 assimilation and transpiration and fruit yield. Fruit yield and healthy fruits were favored by high irrigation frequency and did not depend on the substrate volume.

Effect of Cow Urine and Bio-Fertilizers based Fertigation Schedule at Varying Levels of Drip Irrigation on Yield, Growth, Quality Parameters and Economics of Cucumber under Protected Condition

“…The higher plant height in irrigation level 4 l m -2 daily may be attributed to the higher quantity of irrigation applied throughout the crop growth period. The similar results are reported by Pires et al, (2011) where the high irrigation frequency favored the vegetative growth. Similar results are also reported by Acharya et al, (2013) and Yaghi et al, (2013).…”

Effect of irrigation frequency on growth and production of a cucumber crop under soilless culture

“…Similarly, Pires et al (2011) and Rodriguez-Ortega et al (2016) reported that irrigation events divided into shorter intervals, grown either in cocofibres or perlite substrates, favored tomato fruit yield. In contrast, Tsirogiannis et al (2010) working with gerbera grown in pots filled with Nisyros pumice, concluded that the yield and quality characteristics (i.e.…”

Physiological Responses of Selected Vegetable Crop Species to Water Stress

“…In sweet corn, ear differentiation begins at the six-or eight-leaf stage growth when the water deficiency decreases the length of ears and the numbers of ear rows [23], but during tasselling the water deficiency causes significant yield reduction [24,25]. Tomatoes are most sensitive to water deficiency at fruit setting and intensive fruit development periods [3], when the increasing water stress resulted in a 25 to 50% decrease in the yield [10,[26][27][28][29]. During early flowering of tomatoes, water scarcity causes flower shedding and lack of fertilization [30], and during fruit setting, plants with small sized fruits are produced [10,31].…”