Effects of water stress at different growth stage on greenhouse multiple-trusses tomato yield and quality

In order to explore the effects of deficit irrigation (DI) on yield and quality of solar greenhouse multiple-trusses tomato and determinate optimal deficit irrigation scheduling, a field experiment was conducted with different water deficit levels applied at three growth stages, i.e. seedling stage, flowering and fruit development stage and fruit maturation and fruit harvesting stage. The results showed that based on the normal irrigation amount of 21mm (CK), applying 1/3 or 2/3 irrigation amount of CK at seedling stage did not affect the tomato yield and quality; applying 1/3 or 2/3 irrigation amount of CK at fruit maturation and harvesting stage significantly improved tomato fruit quality, but decreased market yield by 48.2% and 38.0% respectively, which resulted in water use efficiency (WUE) drop. Considering the yield, quality and water saving amount, applying 1/3 irrigation amount of CK at the flowering and fruit development stage, normal irrigation at other growth stages, i.e. totally 12 irrigation times with 196 mm, could obtain the comprehensive objects of higher fruit quality, acceptable yield and water saving, which could be recommended as the suitable deficit irrigation scheduling for the multiple trusses tomato in solar greenhouse spring to summer season cropping season.