Evaluation of yield of tomatoes under regulated deficit irrigation and partial root zone drying

In order to study the effects of deficit irrigation on yield of tomato, an experiment was conducted in Jiroft. The experiment treatments were arranged as randomized complete block design with three replications. The irrigation regimes consisted of full irrigation, regulated deficit and partial root zone drying irrigation (RDI75, RDI55). The results showed that deficit irrigation resulted in water saving at the rates of 16-34 percent. The highest yield (202.65 ton/ha) was produced by full irrigation. There was no significant difference between yield and fruit weight of full irrigation treatment and 75 percent water replacement in partial root zone drying. The highest water use efficiency was 45.6 kg/m3 was obtained in 75 percent water replacement in partial root zone drying. Also, despite the same water consumption of 75 percent water replacement in partial root zone drying and regulated deficit, yield was decrease 16.1 percent. Therefore, it can be concluded that 75 percent water replacement in partial root zone drying, which resulted in a non-significant decrease of yield and while resulting in a 25 percent decrease in water use and increased 14 percent of water use efficiency, would be a promising water-saving method as in Jiroft.