Tomato Trial with H2Flo
25
Florida, USA 2014
25
Key Conclusions
Application of H2Flo to tomatoes generated a substantial €390/ha return on investment (ROI) in energy savings from 25% less irrigation, while maintaining, or even increasing, yield.
Objective
To demonstrate that applying H2Flo wetting agent results in a reduction in irrigation volume while maintaining, or increasing, yield.
Trial Details
Trial station
Florida, USA
Product
H2Flo
Assessments
Yield, water conservation, and return on investment (ROI)
Treatments
- This was a randomised complete block trial with 4 replications
- Plots consisted of 12 meter long rows with 40 plants/plot.
- Tomatoes planted in single rows with one drip tape per plot.
Time | H2Flo | |
---|---|---|
weeks after transplanting | L/ha | |
ICL treatment | 0 | 1.2 |
1 | 0.6 | |
3 | 0.6 | |
5 | 0.6 | |
7 | 0.6 | |
Total of 5 applications of H2FLo | 3.6 | |
Farm practice | No water conservation/surfactants. 3 irrigation programs (100%, 75% and 50% ETo) |
Soil volumetric water content (VWC) readings were taken at a depth of 15 cm on bed centres, and 15 cm from the west edge (50 observations during the season).
- Plant height (3 weeks after transplanting [WAT])
- Foliar dry biomass/plant (3 and 15 WAT; 5 plants/plot)
- Marketable yields (10 and 12 WAT)
Treatments
- This was a randomised complete block trial with 4 replications
- Plots consisted of 12 meter long rows with 40 plants/plot.
- Tomatoes planted in single rows with one drip tape per plot.
Time | H2Flo | |
---|---|---|
weeks after transplanting | L/ha | |
ICL treatment | 0 | 1.2 |
1 | 0.6 | |
3 | 0.6 | |
5 | 0.6 | |
7 | 0.6 | |
Total of 5 applications of H2FLo | 3.6 | |
Farm practice | No water conservation/surfactants. 3 irrigation programs (100%, 75% and 50% ETo) |
Soil volumetric water content (VWC) readings were taken at a depth of 15 cm on bed centres, and 15 cm from the west edge (50 observations during the season).
- Plant height (3 weeks after transplanting [WAT])
- Foliar dry biomass/plant (3 and 15 WAT; 5 plants/plot)
- Marketable yields (10 and 12 WAT)
Results
- A positive €390/ha return on investment (ROI) in energy savings from 25% less irrigation.
- Yield maintained with 25% water saving, 1M L/ha water saved.
- Plots treated with H2Flo at the 50% ETo level increased yield by more than the 100% ETo.