Drip and furrow irrigation of fresh market tomatoes on a slowly permeable soil: Part 1. production

Growers of fresh market tomatoes frequently attribute an increase in small fruit during the growing season to poor water relations. In studies on a Vista sandy loam soil, greater numbers of small fruit were produced by drought-stressed plants. A high frequency of furrow irrigation caused the soil surface to "seal" greatly restricting water penetration and lowering the production of large tomatoes. Production was best when water was added through a drip hose placed at the base of plants in the row or by less frequent furrow irrigation.