MIXED FERTILIZER CAN IMPROVE FRUIT YIELD AND QUALITY OF FIELD-GROWN TOMATOES IRRIGATED WITH SALINE WATER

Growing tomatoes using saline water and in soils with poor nutrient contents is challenging. The objectives of this work were to: (i) examine the yield and quality of tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) irrigated with different saline water [electrical conductivity (ECi) = 3, 6 and 9 dS m(-1)]; and (ii) study the effect of fertilizer: inorganic, organic, and a mixed of both on tomatoes grown under saline conditions. Fruit weight and quality attributes including size, color, soluble solids, acidity, EC, and pH were measured. Growing tomatoes under 3 and 6 dS m(-1) produced the highest yield, whereas irrigating with 9 dS m(-1) reduced yield. The mixed fertilizer slightly ameliorated the yield reduction caused by salinity. Using organic fertilizer alone produced the lowest fruit yield. Fruit quality was more affected by salinity than fertilizer. The best growing conditions for tomatoes were in plots irrigated with 6 dS m(-1) water under mixed fertilizer treatment.