Effect of Simulated Temperature and Water Stress on Growth, Physiological and Yield Parameters of Tomato [<em>Lycopersicon esculentum var: Thilina,</em>] Grown with Mulch

Abstract

Understanding the effect of temperature stress on growth and yield of crops, and also identifying suitable management options to sustain the productivity under different changes in the natural environment are of timely importance. The main aim of this research is to compare the growth, yield and quality parameters of Tomato (solanum lycopersicum) variety Thilina grown with mulch when subjected to temperature and water stress if there is global warming. The plants were grown in pots under temperature-controlled poly tunnels. Main plot included two different irrigation applications (no water stress by irrigation to field capacity moisture level and, water stress by irrigating only up to the 50% of the available water capacity). Coir dust and saw dust were used as mulch and sub plots contained 3 different temperature regimes (34°C maximum temperature poly tunnel/32°C maximum temperature polytunnel/Open space-ambient temperature). The treatments were set up in a completely randomized design with 3 replicates. To make sure of the temperature replication, the trials were repeated 3 times. According to the results, there is significant effect of mulch on growth parameters of Tomato plants exposed to water and temperature stresses. Individual water stress showed a highly significant effect on growth, and yield parameters of Tomato. High yield reduction was shown in the high temperature (34°C) and water stressed plants. Mulching of saw dust and coir dust improved the yield even at 34 °C temperature treatment. Therefore, Tomato variety Thilina would not be a successful crop in open field condition due to temperature and water stress if there is global warming, but mulching will help to improve the situation.

Significance of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Mitigating Abiotic Environmental Stress in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: A Review

“…In addition, organic amendments are rich in humic acids, which decrease the availability of metals through adsorption and the formation of stable organometallic complexes [ 266 ], which could contribute to reducing TE stress for MAPs. If well-chosen, all these organic amendments could (depending on the MAP species and soil type) significantly improve soil fertility and nutrient cycling, nitrogen fixation, organic matter amount, plant growth, and consequently plant establishment under conditions of water and temperature stress [ 267 , 268 ]. The decomposition of organic amendments has also been reported to provide useful weed control for MAPs, and as a solution to avoid water runoff while maintaining soil moisture [ 269 ].…”

Effect of silicon application on growth and yield of tomato (<em>Lycopersicon esculentum</em> Mill.) Var. Rajitha grown under water stress

“…Plant available water for the water stress of 50% soil moisture deficit level was calculated by the difference between field capacity and permanent wilting point moisture content and divided by 2. The plant receives irrigation only when plant available water is depleted by 50% in water stress plants (Dishani and De Silva, 2016). The waterdeficit treatments were applied for 3-week age tomato plants.…”

“…In the physiological mechanism of drought avoidance, maintenance of favorable water status in plants is achieved through either efficient stomatal regulation or high root activity (Kaya et al, 2006). Tomato production in Sri Lanka is much lower than the world's normal as the regular climate changes unfavorably influence normal production (Dishani and De Silva, 2016). Silicon (Si) is the second most abundant element in the earth crust after oxygen (Shi et al, 2016).…”