Comparison of Subsurface Trickle and Furrow Irrigation on Plastic-mulched and Bare Soil for Tomato Production

Subsurface trickle and furrow irrigation of fresh-market tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), with or without plastic mulch, were compared for three consecutive growing seasons. Plots were irrigated when available soil water was 40% depleted. Marketable tomato yield was 22% greater for plants grown with trickle irrigation than with furrow irrigation. Use of black plastic mulch resulted in 31% and 16% greater marketable tomato yield in Spring 1983 and 1984, than similar bare-soil (unmulched) treatments, respectively. In Fall 1983, use of white/black (top/bottom) laminated plastic mulch reduced yields by 12% compared to similar unmulched treatments. Total water (irrigation plus precipitation) applied to furrow-irrigated plots nearly equalled pan evaporation (E pan ). Trickle-irrigated plots received < 45% of E pan in all seasons, resulting in increased water-use efficiency with drip irrigation. Trickle irrigation as applied did not affect soluble salts concentration in the soils.