Effect of Deficit Irrigation on Growth, Yield, Quality and Storage of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum; cv. Pectomech

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of deficit irrigation on growth and quality of tomato after harvest and during storage. Four treatments (100% ETc, 90% ETc, 80% ETc and 70% ETc) with three replicalions were set-up in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) in plastic buckets under a rain shelter. Water loss by the tomato plants (ETc) was assessed by weighing and the equivalent volume was computed and replaced at two~day intervals. Crop coefficient (Ke) and amount of water used (ETc) for the various water treatments were determined. Plant height, leaf area, canopy diameter and leaf area index were also determined. The fruit size, mass, number of fruits per treatment and total yield were determined. Physico-chemical, nutritional and antioxidant qualities of the fruits after harvest and during storage were determined using standard methods. Results showed that Kc and ETc values for the various growth stages were in the order 100% > 90% > 80% > 70%. There were significant differences (p<0.05) in the leaf area, canopy diameter and leaf area index for the various water treatments. No significant differences (p>0.05) were recorded for the various treatments for yield components except fruit size. Tomato fruit firmness, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, fat, fibre, carbohydrate, Iycopene, vitamin E, flavonoids and total polyphenols j"ncreased with deficit irrigation while pH, moisture, ash, protein, minerals, β- carotene and ascorbic acid decreased. Total soluble solids, pH, fibre and Iycopene increased significantly (p<0.05) with increasing storage period while titratable acidity, firmness, moisture, ash, protein, fat. carbohydrate, minerals, β-carotene, ascorbic acid, flavonoids and total polyphenols decreased.