A field study was conducted under "Cerrado" conditions of Brazil, during the dry season of 2000, to evaluate the effect of final irrigation timing on fruit yield, quality, and the use of water in processing tomatoes. Fourteen irrigation cut-off times were employed, 7 days apart, from blossom until harvest. Maximum marketable fruit yield took place when irrigations were cut-off 21 days before harvest (10% of red fruit). Total soluble solids content was linearly reduced at the rate of 0.34 ºBrix per each additional 10 days period of irrigation. Maximum pulp yield was obtained ending irrigation 34 days before harvest (20% of plants holding at least one red fruit). The highest tomato water use efficiency was observed when the last irrigation occurred between 37 and 45 days after blossom, respectively for fruit and pulp yield.
Lycopersicon esculentum; sprinkle irrigation; water stress
