YIELD AND QUALITY RESPONSE OF GREENHOUSE TOMATO TO DIFFERENT MICROPORES GROUP SPACING AND IRRIGATION AMOUNT

The micro-sprinkler irrigation under plastic film (MSPF) uses multiple groups of small micropores under plastic film to evenly distribute water in the root zone soil with the help of gravity and capillary suction, and the appropriate micropores group spacing and irrigation amount can realize the efficient utilization of MSPF. This study clarified the applicability of MSPF in a greenhouse and finding the optimal micropores group spacing and irrigation amount. Treatments were ranged in completely randomised design aimed to determine the effects of different micropores group spacing (L1: 30 cm micropores group spacing, and L2: 50 cm micropores group spacing) and irrigation amount [I1:0.7 Epan; I2:1.0 Epan; and I3:1.2 Epan (Epan is the diameter of 20-cm standard pan evaporation, mm)] of the MSPF on the yield and quality of tomato. The results showed that the MSPF can be used as one of the micro-irrigation methods of greenhouse, which can lead to saving water, increase yield, and improve crop quality. Compared to L2, L1 was better for fruit quality, yield, and water use efficiency (WUE). With increasing irrigation amount, the fruit shape and yield increased, but the fruit flavour, nutrition and WUE decreased. The combination of the 30 cm micropores group spacing and 1.0 Epan is recommended for greenhouse tomato under MSPF in arid and semi-arid sandy loam soil of facility agriculture.