IRRIGATION OF PROCESSING TOMATO IN RELATION TO AVAILABILITY OF WATER IN THE SOIL OR TO DIFFERENT mET REINTEGRATION

The irrigation schemes tested were the followings:

V1, V2, V3 (80%, 100% and 60% mET reintegration) by applying of formula: mET limit = Eo x Kp x Kc = 35 mm, with water irrigation volumes of 350, 280 and 210 m^{3 x ha-1}

V4: Distribution, in relation to availability of water in the soil, of volumes bringing soil water levels to Field Capacity to a depth of 45 cm. Wherever the irrigation limit (35 mm) was reached, the volume V - (F.C. - Soil moisture) x a.d. x d was applied. Effects of years were observed on the yield, biometrical and qualitative parameters, on incidence of virus by CMV (Cucumber mosaic virus) and symptoms of "Corky root" by Pyrenochaeta lycopersici Schneider et Gerlach.

No significantly differences were observed between the distribution of water on the basis of 100% mET reintegration, by the daily evapotranspiration data, from Class "A" Pan, and the distribution of water in relation to availability of water in the soil.

With 80% mET reintegration the yield and other data were not significantly differences from the values obtained with the higher water supply levels.

It is not possible to reduce mET reintegration under the 80%, with 60% mET reintegration a greater number of fruits was affected by "blossom and rot" and the productive data were significantly lower than the other treatments.

No differences in the qualitative characteristics of fruits were observed unless for the dry matter content.