Zahra Esfahani; Taher Barzegar; Zahra Ghahremani; Jafar Nikbakht
Abstract
In order to study the effect of water deficit stress and foliar spray of Megafol on yield, fruit quality and water use efficiency (WUE) of tomato cv. Rio Grande, an experiment was carried out in a split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications in Research Filed at the University ...
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In order to study the effect of water deficit stress and foliar spray of Megafol on yield, fruit quality and water use efficiency (WUE) of tomato cv. Rio Grande, an experiment was carried out in a split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications in Research Filed at the University of Zanjan, Iran in 2015. Treatments consisted arrangement of three irrigation levels (starting irrigation at 100, 75 and 50% ETc (crop evapotranspiration)) and four levels (0, 1, 2 and 3 ml/L) of Megafol. Results showed significant effects of water deficit stress on yield, fruit quality, and WUE. Megafol treatment showed significant effects on yield, fruit firmness, lycopene content, and WUE. The highest total soluble solids (2.41%) and titratable acidity (TA) (2.09) was found at 50% ETc irrigation treatment. Foliar application of 2 ml/L megafol showed the highest value of TSS (2.29%), TA (1.97%), lycopene (0.83 g/l), fruit per plant (37.94), fruit weight (59.32 g) and WUE (21.78 kg/m3). The interaction effect of irrigation by foliar treatments had a significant effect on plant yield, fruits number per plant and TA. The maximum fruit number (51.73) and plant yield (3278.43 g) was obtained by application of 2 ml/L Megafol under 100% ETc irrigation. Also, the highest TA was achieved in 1 ml/L Megafol and 50% ETc irrigation. According to the results, foliar application of 2 ml/l Megafol improved fruit yield under normal irrigation and deficit water stress and resulted in 16% increase in WUE. Irrigation at 75% ETc level with 16% yield reduction, saved 25% of water as compared to 100% ETc treatment.