Effect of Drip and Furrow Methods of Irrigation on Tomato Under Two Irrigation Levels

To evaluate the performance of drip irrigation over furrow irrigation, tomato plants were grown in Typic Ustochrept sandy loam soil for two years 1998-99 and 1999-2000 with two irrigation levels i.e. IW/PAN-E 1.0 and 0.7. All plant parameters including plant height, number of branches, leaf area index, fruit weight, fruit quality, and total yield and water use efficiency (WUE) were comparatively less under furrow irrigation than that observed under drip irrigation .All plant parameters diminished and yield decreased with the decrease in IW/PAN-E both under drip irrigation and under furrow irrigation. However the decline was more prominent under furrow irrigation than drip irrigation. Almost one and half times higher tomato yield was obtained under drip irrigation than under furrow irrigation along with a saving of 30 percent of irrigation water . Fruit quality {higher Total Soluble Solids (TSS) and Ascorbic Acid (AA)} obtained under drip irrigation was much superior to that obtained under furrow irrigation.