Effect of Modified Deficit Irrigation Strategies on Fruit Quality of Tomato under Greenhouse

Abstract

Deficit irrigation strategies need to be devised to save irrigation water and optimize yield while maintaining fruit quality. The present study was undertaken to assess fruit quality of tomato (cv. GS-600) under different irrigation treatments in greenhouse environment. Different irrigation treatments were namely (1) Full irrigation, where the required amount of irrigation water estimated from pan evaporation data was applied to all sides of the plant root zone through drip irrigation; (2) RDI30, (3) RDI50, (4) PRD30 and (5) PRD50, where 30% and 50% less amount of water was applied compared to full irrigation. In RDI, water was applied to all sides of the root zone but in case of PRD, left and right side of root zone were irrigated alternately during every irrigation. Significantly higher fruit diameter (6.45- 8.9 cm) in PRD30 irrigation treatment was observed compared to other deficit irrigation treatments though it was at par with full irrigation treatment (7-9 cm). Among the deficit irrigation treatments, total soluble solids (TSS) (6.7 °Brix) and titratable acidity (0.44%) were higher in the PRD30, whereas full irrigation led to significantly lower TSS (4.5 °Brix) and titratable acidity (0.35%), respectively. Compared to full irrigation treatment, partial root zone drying with 30% deficit irrigation can enhance fruit quality while saving water.