Impact of Induced Temperature and Water Stress on Vegetative and Reproductive Parameters of Tomato (Lycopersicum esculantum) Variety Rajitha

Abstract

The main aim of this research was to study the influence of simulated temperature and water stress on vegetative, reproductive and quality parameters of Tomato (variety Rajitha). Experiments were conducted in the temperature regulated poly tunnel during the growing seasons of 2010 and 2011 in the agricultural field located at Nawala, Nugegoda at the Open University Sri Lanka to evaluate the enhanced temperature (temperature rise by 2°C) and water stress (50% depletion) effects for Tomato plants. Split plot experiment based on complete randomized design with 10 replicates was applied as experimental design. The plants were grown in pots under temperature-controlled poly tunnels and half of the samples was subjected to water stress (50% from field capacity), and the rest of the samples were kept at field capacity of soil moisture. Main plot included two different irrigation applications (No water stress, 50% water stress from the field capacity) and sub plots contained 3 different temperature regimes (34°C maximum temperature poly tunnel, 32°C maximum temperature poly tunnel, ambient temperature 30°C). Individual water stress showed a highly significant effect on vegetative and reproductive parameters. Tomato fruit setting was minimum at 32-34°C temperature range due to pollen sterility. The combined effect of water stress and temperature stress proved to be a significant drawback for vegetative and reproductive growth and also for quality parameters of Tomato. Therefore, Tomato (variety Rajitha) cultivation becomes unsuccessful if there is water and temperature stress condition.