GROWTH, YIELD, PHYSIOLOGICAL AND FRUIT QUALITY RESPONSE OF TWO TOMATO (Solanum lycoperscion L.) HYBRIDS TO DIFFERENT IRRIGATION REGIMES UNDER FIELD CONDITIONS

Abstract

The implementation of regulated deficit irrigation has emerged as an effective approach to achieve sustainable crop production in regions facing water scarcity. The main objective of this study was to determine the effects of irrigation regimes and crop variety on the growth, physiological responses and fruit quality of two tomato hybrids in the Northern region of Ghana. The study was conducted under field conditions at Nyankpala in the Guinea Savannah Agro-ecological zone of Ghana from February to June, 2023.The experiment was a 3 x 2 factorial experiment laid out in a split-plot design with three (3) replications. The treatments included three (3) irrigation regimes (60 % CWR, 80 % CWR and 100 % CWR) in the main plots and two (2) tomato varieties (Cobra F1 and Mongal F1) in the sub-plots. Estimated crop water requirement for tomato was 481 mm during the growing season. Irrigation regime at 80 % CWR gave the highest crop water productivity of 2,133kg/ha and the highest yield of 15,020 kg/ha. Irrigation regime at 100 % CWR recorded the highest chlorophyll fluorescence content for Fo, Fm, FvFm and FvFo at 163.7μmols, 578 μmols, 0.816 μmols and 4.383 μmols, respectively. Irrigation regime at 100 % CWR and variety Mongal F1 gave the best quality fruits with fibre (%) and TSS at 7.9 % and 7.6, respectively. Overall, irrigation regime at 80 % CWR using drip system is recommended for higher crop water productivity, plant improved plant health, maximum yield and quality tomato fruits from the hybrids.