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Effect of Water Stress on Moisture Content Distribution in Soil and Morphological Characters of Two Tomato (lycopersicon Esculentum Mill) Cultivars

K. Nahar
Department of Environmental Science and Management, North South University, Dhaka 1229, Bangladesh

S. M. Ullah
Department of Soil, Water and Environment, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

This study investigates the effects of water stress on moisture content distribution at different soil layers (pot) and on morphological characters of tomato plants. Three treatments of moisture level were imposed, viz, 100%, 70% and 40% of the field capacity. Moisture content distribution was higher at the surface and decreased with increasing stress at all growth stages. Yield and related morphological characters responded better at 70% of the field capacity compared with other treatments.

Keywords: Tomato; Water stress; Moisture content; Tomato yield; Yield component.

Location: Net-house of Dhaka University

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Risk Management in Agriculture

Commodity: Tomato

Objectives:

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of water stress on moisture content distribution of soil and morphological characters of the plants.

Methodology:

Pot experiments were carried out with two varieties of Tomato in the net-house of Dhaka University to evaluate the effect of water stress on morphological parameters – growth, yield, flowering and fruiting characteristics of tomato plants and the cultivars (BR-4, BR-5) were collected from Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI) and 30 days old seedlings were transplanted in 25cm height and 30 cm diameter clay pots. Pots were filled with 8 kg silty clay loam soil which was air dried and sieved through a 2mm sieve. The soil had the following general characteristics: Sand - 5.8%, silt - 60.2%, clay - 34.0%, field capacity (FC) - 33%, maximum water holding capacity - 46%, hygroscopic moisture - 1.40%, porosity - 49%, bulk density - 1.27gIcc, particle density - 2.57g/cc, pH -7.2, EC - 143μS, OM (organic matter) - 1.14%, CEC (cation exchange capacity) - 17.9meq/l00g soil and N- 0.06%. The experiments were arranged in a completely randomized block design with three treatments and four replications. The stress treatments were imposed at 40% FC; 70% FC and 100% FC (control). Moisture treatment was maintained by adding required amount of water to overcome the loss through evaporation and transpiration (measured with a weighing balance) everyday. The pots were covered with Aluminum foil to prevent evaporation loss from the soil surface. Harvesting was started 60 days after transplanting and there were 5 harvests altogether at 5 - 7 days intervals, over one month period. At maturity yield and yield component data were recorded. Gravimetric soil moisture content was also determined from the stressed pots at 0-7, 7-14 and 14-21 cm depth on the last day of each vegetative and reproductive stress periods (every 15 days after transplanting). After the last fruit harvest, plants were harvested. All the plant samples were dried in an oven at 65°C and dry weight of the plants were also recorded. Finally the results were statistically analyzed employing the Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test (DMRT).

Source of Information: J. Sci. Res. 3 (3), 677-682 (2011)

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

From the observations it can be concluded that 70% moisture of the FC was adequate moisture supply for the investigated tomato plants and could be recommended for higher fruit yield and better fruit size. This result also confirms the findings of Sharma and Kumar who observed higher yield in stressed condition compared to non-stressed one. However, soil compaction might have some role.

Knowledge Management: Journal