Effect of irrigation systems and water management practices using saline and non-saline water on tomato production

The effect of two water management strategies i.e. alternate and mixed supply of fresh [canal water (0.55 dS/m)] and saline [drainage water (4.2–4.8 dS/m)] water in six ratios applied through drip and furrow method on tomato (cv. Floradade) yield and growth, and salt concentration in the root zone were investigated in the Nile Delta, Egypt. Drip irrigation enhanced tomato growth more, early in the growing season, than did furrow irrigation, but at later stages, there was little difference between the two irrigation systems. Drip irrigation, however, gave higher yield. Regardless, the irrigation method, mixed water management practice gave higher growth and yield than alternate irrigation. Moreover growth and yield were high in alternate practice only with fresh water, whereas moderate saline irrigation waters in mixed practice gave the highest values of yield and growth. Thus, the highest yield obtained (3.2 kg/plant) was the result of the combination of drip system and mixed management practice using a ratio of 60% fresh water with 40% saline water. There was a strong negative relationship between tomato yield and seasonal average of electrical conductivity of the soil solution.