. Introduction • Tomato seedlings require adequate moisture during growth period. Quantity of water required varies according to soil type and climatic conditions. Timely irrigation results in to seedlings healthy, vigorous and resistant to pest and disease attacks. • Nursery beds should be irrigated lightly but frequently with a rose can. Duration between 2 irrigations varies from 3-5 days in summer and 8-10 days in winter. • Withholding the water for 3-5 days before uprooting the seedlings for transplantation can hardens the plants and reduces mortality in field. But nursery beds must be watered just
Transcript
.
Introduction
• Tomato seedlings require adequate moisture during growth
period. Quantity of water required varies according to soil type
and climatic conditions. Timely irrigation results in to seedlings
healthy, vigorous and resistant to pest and disease attacks.
• Nursery beds should be irrigated lightly but frequently with a rose
can. Duration between 2 irrigations varies from 3-5 days in
summer and 8-10 days in winter.
• Withholding the water for 3-5 days before uprooting the seedlings
for transplantation can hardens the plants and reduces mortality
in field. But nursery beds must be watered just before uprooting
seedlings to minimize damage to roots.
• Tomato plants should be watered in the morning for most efficient
use of water as it gets more time to soak in soil before high
temperatures which can cause evaporation. Watering in the
evening should be avoided as it provides conducive humidity and
environment for attack by pests and diseases.
• Irrigation frequencies vary with soil type and climatic conditions.
Lighter soils require watering twice a week while heavier soils can
be watered only once a week.
• Watering is more frequent in summer while it is delayed in winter
season and almost absent in monsoon season.
Irrigation Time and Scheduling
Surface irrigation / Flood irrigation
Simplest irrigation method where water is allowed to flow freely
into flat or furrowed farms.
Advantages•It is comparatively cheap, as the infrastructural cost of this type of
irrigation system is minimum.•Water quality and climatic conditions cannot affect application of
irrigation to nursery.
Disadvantages•Flood irrigation may increase soil borne diseases and weed
growth.• Increase soil salinity in heavy soils and cause water logging.• Time and labour required for application of water is large.
Methods of Irrigation
Surface Irrigation
Sprinkler Irrigation
Methods of Irrigation
Sprinkler irrigation system is widely used in greenhouse grown
tomato nursery. Sprinkler heads are placed underneath the crop.
Advantages
•Water distribute evenly on large area and can irrigate various
crops at one time.
•Saves water in comparison to flood irrigation and very useful in
improving microclimate like increasing humidity and reducing soil
and air temperatures.
Disadvantages
•Water distribution can be affected by wind velocity.
•Infrastructural cost and power requirement of the system is more
.
Sprinkler Irrigation
Drip irrigation is advanced method of irrigation, which can be used to
apply water and nutrients direct to the root zone.
Advantages•Saves 40 – 50 % water. Fertilizers can be applied through system•Seedling establishes quickly and less attack of pest and diseases.
