MODIFICATION OF MICROCLIMATE CONDITIONS FOR IMPROVING TOMATO PLANT GROWTH COMPONENTS AND WATER USE EFFICIENCY

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Ph.D. Student, Ag. Eng. Dept., Fac. of Ag., Ain Shams U., Egypt.

2 Prof. of Ag. Eng., Ag. Eng. Dept., Fac. of Ag., Ain Shams U., Egypt.

3 Head of Res., Field Irrigation Eng. Dept., Ag. Eng. Res. Inst., Ag. Res. Center, Egypt.

4 Prof. of Soil Science, Soil and Water Science Dept., Fac. of Ag., Ain Shams U., Egypt.

Abstract

Climate change is one of humanity's most pressing problems. So, the aim of study was to improve tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Elisa) healthy unit area productivity (Quality and Quantity) under surface and sub-surface drip irrigation systems. Field experiment was conducted within the time of Dec. 2019 to May 2020, in the Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University in Shoubra El Kheima, Kalyubia Governorate, Egypt. Experimental farm is located at (latitude 30°, 12'N and longitude 31°, 24'E; mean altitude, 26 m above sea level). The experimental design was a split plot design with three replicates comprising two irrigation systems [surface drip irrigation (T1) and sub-surface drip irrigation (T2)] in main plots involving drip irrigation [built-in dripper, normal flow rates were 8 l/h/m (dripper spacing 0.5m)]. Tunnel heights 75 cm, three plastic tunnels of low thicknesses [40 micron (P1), 50 micron (P2) and 60 micron (P3)] in subplots. Data analysis revealed under surface and sub-surface drip irrigation at was treatment plastic thickness 60 micron at a plant height of 135.6 cm and 141.5 cm. Plant stem diameter under surface and sub-surface drip irrigation 33.8 mm and 34.5 mm, it increased by 10.4% and 11.6% more than control with mulching. Yield was 22.94 ton/fed and 24.45 ton/fed under surface and sub-surface drip irrigation increase ratio 54.1% and 45.8% more than control with mulching. Water use efficiency was 16.46 kg/m3 and 20.38 kg/m3 under surface and sub-surface drip irrigation increase ratio 58.1% and 55.5% more than control with mulching.

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References

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