RESPONSE OF GREENHOUSE TOMATO YIELD, ABOVEGROUND BIOMASS AND WATER USE EFFICIENCY TO WATER DEFICIT IN DIFFERENT PERIODS OF FURROW AND DRIP IRRIGATION

The quantitative relationship between tomato yield, water consumption, WUE, aboveground biomass, and root parameters, different deficit irrigation treatments between furrow and drip irrigation systems were conducted in northwest China from August, 2013 to January, 2014 (AW season) and from March to July, 2014 (SS season). Full irrigation treatments were kept as control. Results showed that tomato water consumption, yield, aboveground biomass and fine root length decreased, but WUE and total root length significantly increased by deficit (50% ETc) at seeding stage and fruit maturation stage. Deficit (50% ETc) at all stages decreased yield, water consumption, WUE, aboveground biomass and fine root length, but increased the total root length of tomato. The fine root length had a linear correlation with yield, water consumption, WUE and aboveground biomass. Therefore, deficit at seeding stage and fruit maturation stage maintained higher WUE and minimized tomato yield losses. And drip irrigation increased yield, water consumption, WUE and aboveground biomass by 19.2, 19.5, 34.9 and 24.2% than furrow irrigation, respectively.