Influence of drip irrigation schedule and mulching material on yield and quality of greenhouse tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. `Money maker')
2003
Kere, G.M. | Nyanjage, M.O. | Liu, G. | Nyalala, S.P.O. (Egerton Univ., Njoro (Kenya). Dept. of Horticulture)
Water is a scarce resource for irrigation use in many parts of the tropics. Water usage for irrigation and plant water use efficiency can be improved by drip irrigation schedule and/or mulching materials whose influences vary with locality. A study was conducted between September 2001 and August 2002 to investigate the influence of irrigation schedule and mulching materials on the yield and quality of greenhouse-grown fresh market tomato in the Kenya highlands (2200m above Sea Level). The experimental design was split-plot embedded in randomized complete block design replicated three times with irrigation schedules as main plot consisting of irrigation on daily basis, after every two and three days, respectively. Mulching material which included clear (transparent) plastic, dry grass and no mulch (control) formed the sub-plot. The data was subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using MSTAT and means separated by LSD or Duncan Multiple Range Test (P less than 0.05). Dry grass mulch and irrigation after every two days significantly produced the lowest fruit dry weight. Total marketable tomato fruit yields were not significantly affected by either drip irrigation schedule or mulch type. Dry grass mulch produced the lowest total soluble solids. Under these conditions grass mulch and irrigation after every three days should be adopted for greenhouse tomatoes in warm tropics. The grass mulch is cheap and readily available whereas, three days irrigation interval saves water. Further research should be conducted to incorporate different irrigation rates.
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