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Organic tomato crop responses to mist vs. drip irrigation systems
M. K. Youch1, M. Dorais2, S. Pepin1 and C. Ménard2
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine whether a mist irrigation
system would improve soil moisture distribution and microbial activity
in an organic tomato crop, and thus lead to enhanced plant growth, yield
and fruit quality compared to a conventional drip irrigation system.
The effect of bottomless 20-cm high, rectangular plastic containers
used to prevent the excess of humidity on the lowest stem part region
of tomato plants was also examined.
Twelve 10 m2 plots were established over three blocks in a split-plot design with the irrigation treatment in main plots and containers in sub-plots.
There was no significant difference in tomato yield (total and marketable) or on the different plant growth parameters measured between the two irrigation systems. This lack of difference could be explained by an irrigation schedule guided by an identical soil water matrix potential.
The mode of irrigation water distribution, however, may have influenced
soil rate of mineralization as well as the level of soil fertility.
Discussion of the results obtained will therefore involve results obtained
for soil water potential profile and CO2 flux in parallel to growth
and yield parameters.
Source
2007 Guelph Organic Conference, Natural Sciences Symposium
Author Locations and Affiliations
(1) Horticulture Research Centre, Département des
sols et de génie agroalimentaire, Laval University, QC, Canada,
G1K 7P4
(2) Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Envirotron bldg,
Laval University, QC, Canada, G1K 7P4
en français
Posted February 2007