Effects of deficit irrigation on yield and water use efficiency of tomato in solar greenhouse

In order to explore the optimal water-saving and high-efficient irrigation pattern of greenhouse tomato in arid region of Northwest China, an experiment was conducted on the solar greenhouse tomato under mulch furrow irrigation in 2008 for the effects of water deficit applied in different growth stages on yield and water use efficiency. The results showed that although water deficit in fruit maturation and harvesting stage could promote tomato mature and the coincidence of harvest period and market higher price phase, the yield decreased significantly. As total gross economic incomes was low, water stress in fruit maturation and harvesting stage was not an ideal irrigation pattern. However, on the basis of the CK treatment irrigation amount (21 mm), 2/3 normal irrigation amount decreased in vegetable growth stage, 1/3 irrigation amount decreased in flower appearing and fruiting stage, no water stress in fruit maturation and harvesting stage was the optimal irrigation pattern, i.e., 11 or 12 irrigations were applied with total water amounts of 200 to 210 mm during the total growth stage, and 170 to 180 t/hm2 tomato market yield, also 31×104 to 34×104 RMB/hm2 could be achieved. The water use efficiency and gross economic incomes per cubic meter evapotranspiration was 64–69 kg/m3 and 120–125 RMB/m3, respectively, with 40–50 mm irrigation water saved.