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peer-reviewed research article

New crop coefficients developed for high-yield processing tomatoes

authors

Blaine R. Hanson, UC Davis
Donald M. May, UC Davis

publication information

California Agriculture 60(2):95-99. DOI: 10.3733/ca.v060n02p95. April-June 2006.

NALT Keywords

California, evapotranspiration, Lycopersicon esculentum, tomatoes, water use, water use efficiency

abstract

Processing tomato yields have increased by 53% over the past 35 years, but the current seasonal crop-evapotranspiration requirements that growers use to schedule irrigation are based on 1970s-era data. We updated this data and developed new crop coefficients for processing tomatoes using the Bowen ratio energy balance method in eight commercial fields from 2001 to 2004. Today's evapotranspiration rates are similar to those of the early 1970s, indicating a substantial increase in water-use efficiency by processing tomatoes during the past 35 years. In addition, we collected data in both furrow- and drip-irrigated fields, but no statistical differences were found between them.

author affiliations

B.R. Hanson is Extension Irrigation and Drainage Specialist, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, UC Davis; D.M. May is Postgraduate Researcher and Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor Emeritus, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, UC Davis;

author notes

We appreciate the funding provided by CalFed and the Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, UC Davis; the technical assistance of Ted Hsiao and Tony Matista, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, UC Davis; and the cooperation of Farming D and Harris Farms, Five Points, Calif.

References

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