Research on suitable drip irrigation schedule for tomato

rip Irrigation Technique is a basic form of Water Saving Irrigation. Previous researches of drip irrigation technique in greenhouse were not paid more attentions in detailed calculating and researching on suitable schedule as appropriate drip irrigation frequency and water amount by each growing stage. The experimental research on suitable drip irrigation schedule for tomato was carried out in the Greenhouse located in Water Saving Park of Jiangning Campus, Ho Hai University, Nanjing, China from February to July, 2007 to contribute in assessing effect of drip irrigation technique for water utilization issue, crop development and productivity, especially to find suitable drip irrigation schedule for tomato by growing stages. The experimental model of drip irrigation for tomato was designed with nine treatments and one control following three irrigation frequencies and three levels of water amount. Drip irrigation water amount for tomato was calculated by Panman method based on combination between evapotranspiration changed by daily evaporation measurement results and each growing stage. Results of experimental model showed that drip irrigation has made the real effect for tomato development process and yield as well as water saving issue. With traditional irrigation method, all tomato component and yield results were lower than those ones in nine treatments. From measured and analyzed results of tomato growing as well as irrigation water requirement, the irrigation schedule is established with 3-day frequency and water level of 100% evapotranspiration to serve agricultural production development and to perform specific researches.