Abstract:
The study was conducted to investigate the effect of deficit irrigation on
growth and quality of tomato after harvest and during storage. Four treatments
(100% ETc, 90% ETc, 80% ETc and 70% ETc) with three replicalions were
set-up in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) in plastic buckets under a
rain shelter. Water loss by the tomato plants (ETc) was assessed by weighing
and the equivalent volume was computed and replaced at two~day intervals.
Crop coefficient (Ke) and amount of water used (ETc) for the various water
treatments were determined. Plant height, leaf area, canopy diameter and leaf
area index were also determined. The fruit size, mass, number of fruits per
treatment and total yield were determined. Physico-chemical, nutritional and
antioxidant qualities of the fruits after harvest and during storage were
determined using standard methods. Results showed that Kc and ETc values
for the various growth stages were in the order 100% > 90% > 80% > 70%.
There were significant differences (p<0.05) in the leaf area, canopy diameter
and leaf area index for the various water treatments. No significant differences
(p>0.05) were recorded for the various treatments for yield components except
fruit size. Tomato fruit firmness, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, fat,
fibre, carbohydrate, Iycopene, vitamin E, flavonoids and total polyphenols
j"ncreased with deficit irrigation while pH, moisture, ash, protein, minerals, β-
carotene and ascorbic acid decreased. Total soluble solids, pH, fibre and
Iycopene increased significantly (p<0.05) with increasing storage period while
titratable acidity, firmness, moisture, ash, protein, fat. carbohydrate, minerals,
β-carotene, ascorbic acid, flavonoids and total polyphenols decreased.
