WATER RESPONSE OF TOMATO IN PRESENCE OF "CORKY ROOT" (PYRENOCHAETA LYCOPERSICI SCHNEIDER ET GERLACH) IN SOUTHERN ITALY

The irrigation schemes tested were the following: 100% (ks=1,0), 80% (ks=0,8) and 60% (ks=0,6) mET reintegration; distribution of volumes bringing soil water levels to field capacity to a depth of 45 cm; early interruption of the irrigation season at 35–50% red fruits.

The irrigation regime influenced the "corky root" phenomenon: higher disease index values corresponded to higher water supply levels (62.2 at 100% mET reintegration).

With 80% mET reintegration the number of fruits affected by "blossom end rot" was low (5 fruits/m²) and the "corky root" severity index was reduced to 39.5, while yield and other data were not significantly different from the values obtained with the higher water supply level.