Effect of water table depth and irrigation application method on water use for subirrigated fresh market tomato production in Florida

Conventional seepage subirrigation (Seep) where water is applied via irrigation furrows to achieve water table depth management is a common irrigation method for field production of vegetables on high water table flatwoods soils in southwest Florida. The fully enclosed subirrigation system, utilizing microirrigation tubing to distribute water and manage a target water table position, has been designed for water conservation and increased water table depth control throughout a production area. A three-year study (1999-2001) was conducted to compare these two subirrigation systems for water use and the effect that water table depth had on subirrigated fresh market tomato fruit production. Results for a 45 cm (18 in) water table depth showed that significant water savings (>60 percent) were measured by using the fully enclosed subirrigation system compared to the seepage subirrigation system, primarily due to elimination of irrigation runoff with the fully enclosed subirrigation system. No significant fruit yield and quality differences were detected as a result of irrigation system. Using water table depths of 45 and 60 cm (18 and 24 in, respectively) with the fully enclosed subirrigation system showed a 40 percent water savings at the lower 60 cm (24 in) depth with no statistically significant reduction in fruit yield or quality due to water table depth.