The Effect of Partial Root Zone Drying on Water Relations, Growth, Yield and Some Qualitative Attributes of Tomato

Reduction in rainfall and shortage of water resources has caused major damages to agricultural sector. Therefore, it is necessary to employ new methods in order to optimize use of water resources. In this research, the effect of irrigation method of PRD on tomato growth was compared with the conventional irrigation method. The results showed an increase in water use efficiency and total soluble solid of tomato fruits in the PRD treatment while color intensity, number and dry and fresh weight of fruit and severity of blossom-end rot remained unchanged. The PRD treatment reduced dry and fresh weight of shoot and fruit by 8 and 10 %, respectively. About 7.8 and 2.6% of fruits with blossom-end rot were in the PRD and control treatments, respectively. Despite significant reduction in dry and fresh weight of shoot and fruit, harvest index, potential water of leaves and fruit water content, due to 50% reduction in the used water, using PRD is a cost-effective method. Mechanization and scheduled harvest time in PRD method accounts for higher red fruit production and ripening rate.