Effect of Different Irrigation Levels on the Growth and Yield of Tomatoes
Description
Effective water management practices are essential for maximizing tomato yield while mitigating the risks associated with weather extremes and ensuring environmental integrity. The need for climate-smart irrigation management techniques in agriculture has increased to optimize water use efficiency and enhance crop productivity. Irrigation scheduling using precision agriculture technologies like soil moisture sensors is an effective and efficient water management strategy in crop production. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of different irrigation levels on the performance of tomatoes. Irrigation levels were based on initiating irrigation when soil matric potential was at 15 kPa and 45 kPa. A control treatment was included based on the crop’s condition. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in raised beds on campus during the 2024 summer growing season, with data collected on agronomic and soil moisture content. The data generated in this study will be used to develop best management practices and guidelines on climate-smart irrigation management in North Carolina and similar regions. These guidelines will serve as recommendations for farmers to enhance irrigation and nutrient use efficiencies in vegetable cropping systems. Additionally, the study will increase the adoption of scientific irrigation scheduling using plant and soil moisture sensors