Effects of foliar application of Megafol on yield, fruit quality and water use efficiency of tomato Cv. Rio Grande under water deficit stress

In order to study the effect of water deficit stress and foliar spray of Megafol on yield, fruit quality and water use efficiency (WUE) of tomto cv. Rio Grande, an experiment was carried out in a split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications during 2015. Treatments consisted arrangement of three irrigation levels (starting irrigation at 100, 75 and 50% ETc) and 4 levels of Megafol (0, 1, 2 and 3 ml/L). The results showed that water deficit stress had significant effects on yield, fruit quality and WUE. Megafol treatment showed significant effects on yield, fruit firmness, fruit lycopene and WUE. The highest total soluble solids (2.41 %) and titratable acidity (TA) (2.09) was found at 50% ETc treatmen. Foliar application of 2 ml/L megafol was showed the highest value of TSS (2.29 %), TA (1.97%), lycopene (0.83 g/l), fruit per plant (37.94), fruit weight (59.32 gr) and WUE (21.78 kg/m3). Irrigation × foliar treatments interactions had significant effect on plant yield, fruits per plant and TA. Maximum fruit number (51.73) and plant yield (3278.43) was obtained with Megafol 2 ml/L under irrigation 100% ETc treatment. Also the highest TA was achieved in Megafol 1 ml/L under irrigation 50% ETc. According to the results, foliar application of Megafol 2 ml/l improved fruit yield under normal irrigation and deficit water stress and resulted in 16% inceease in WUE. 75% ETC treatment with reducing 16% of fruit yield, saved 25% of water as compared to 100% ETc treatment.