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Soil Moisture: Technique of Control and Relation to Tomato Growth for Different Soils¹

ABSTRACT

A method is given for soil moisture control in greenhouse pot studies using tomato plants. Tensiometers and cylindrical electrode type gypsum blocks were used for timing of irrigation. Through use of calibration curves which related volume of water loss to suction under plant growth the quantity of water to be added at each irrigation was also determined from instrument readings.

Dry weight yields (plants grown to fruiting stage) increased with decreasing soil suction and with increasing fertilizer levels.

By use of ratios of unit dry matter produced to unit water used, it was shown statistically that plant growth was affected by soil suction. The ratios were increased with increasing soil suction and with increasing fertilizer levels.

¹ Paper No. 1259, University of California Exp. Sta., Riverside, Calif.

² Associate Soil Physicist and Associate Chemist, respectively, Citrus Exp. Sta., University of California, Riverside.

Received for publication April 20, 1960. Accepted for publication December 6, 1960.