Effect of quality of irrigation water and nitrogen levels applied through trickle irrigation on yield and water use efficiency of tomato under semi-arid environment

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted for two years to evaluate the effect of water quality, N levels and different methods of planting-cum-irrigation on yield and water use efficiency in tomato. The paired row sowing under trickle irrigation gave the highest fruit yield (kg/plant), which was accompanied by 50% saving of irrigation water under both the irrigation water qualities. Similarly, under trickle irrigation, 50% N applied produced same fruit yield as compared with 100% N under each furrow irrigation of ridge planted tomato under both water qualities. Poor quality irrigation water reduced the fruit yield significantly during first year, but reduction was non significant during second year of experimentation. The water use efficiency recorded was the highest in paired sown tomato under trickle irrigation