APPLICATION OF VIS-NIR REFLECTANCE SPECTRA FOR ESTIMATING WATER SUPPLY EFFECT ON OPEN FIELD PROCESSING TOMATO

In the past two decades, plant modelling has become an important research tool in different areas of horticultural and field crop production. Reason for the success of this technology is its versatility in application, allowing both researchers and growers to use it. This study was aimed for the future to develop a non-destructive and rapid spectroscopy method for precision irrigation managements for one of the most important vegetable plant. Tomato is one of the vegetables with the highest volume of consumption worldwide, which is combined with large growing areas and yields. Demand for fresh tomatoes and tomato-based products shows a continuously increasing trend. Optimization of irrigation is significantly affecting the economics of the production. Results of this experiment suggest that the effect of different irrigation regimes is detectable in near infrared spectra (900-1000 nm) irrespectively of cultivar and phenological stage.