Gas exchange and yield of industrial tomato under different types of irrigation and non-woven fabric plant cover

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different colors and management of polypropylene non-woven fabric coverings and two different localized irrigation systems on the physiological characteristics and yield of industrial tomatoes. The experiment was installed in a randomized block design arranged in a split-plot scheme with four replications. Surface and subsurface drip were used in the plots, and five plant cover strategies with non-woven fabric in the subplots: i) without non-woven fabric; ii) coverage with white non-woven fabric; iii) coverage with white non-woven fabric, removed between 30 and 60 days after transplanting the seedlings; iv) coverage with red non-woven fabric; v) coverage with red non-woven fabric, removed between 30 and 60 days after transplanting. Photosynthesis, transpiration, electron transport rate, stomatal conductance, carbon concentration, total fruit yield, and water use efficiency were evaluated. ANOVA and the Scott-Knott test were used. Transpiration is favored by the white non-woven fabric and the stomatal conductance by the white and uninterrupted red one. However, the tomato yield is not influenced by the coverings, except for the red one, removed only between 30 and 60 days after transplanting, which is the worst condition for industrial tomato production. Surface and subsurface irrigation can be used with the same efficiency.