Drip Irrigation Scheduling in Tomato (Lycopersicon esculantum Mill.)

A field experiment was conducted during the year 2001-02, 2002-03 and 2003-04 at Sabajpura farm, LWEERP, Patna on drip irrigation scheduling in tomato. The experiment was conducted in split plot design with irrigation water equivalent to 100, 80 and 60% ET (Evapo Transpiration) in main plots and water as per daily, alternate days and once in three days schedule in sub-plots. Observations regarding yield (q/ha) and water use efficiency (q/ha??cm) was undertaken. This parameter showed better response at 80%ET when plant received irrigation once in three days except for water use efficiency. Yield of tomato per hectare was maximum at irrigation 80% ET (838.5, 967.72, 895.52q/ha, respectively in three consecutive years) and was significantly higher than 100 % Evapo-Transpiration treatment except second year of observations. Irrigation once in three days gave maximum yield (824.10, 940.23 and 904.76q/ha respectively in three consecutive years). Water use efficiency was significantly higher under 80 % ET (96.71q/ha-cm) during the first year. In the 60% ET treatment irrigation once in three days gave maximum water use efficiency (73.07 and 74.18q/ha??cm during first and third year) except second year where maximum water use efficiency (99.23q/ha-cm) under daily irrigation schedule was observed.