Effects of saline water irrigation on soil nutrients, growth performance, and yield of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)

Abstract The study assessed the effects of varying salinity levels in irrigation water on the growth, inflorescence development, and yield of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). A randomized complete block design (RCBD) was employed, consisting of four treatments with three replications. Pre-transplant soil analysis revealed high nitrogen content across all treatment plots, which declined following saline water irrigation, particularly the final harvest. Phosphorus levels, initially high before transplanting, significantly decreased after the application of saline water and the completion of the production cycle. Similarly, soil potassium content, classified as medium prior to transplanting, dropped to low levels after irrigation and the final harvest. Plant growth and yield responses showed significant variation among treatments with different salinity levels. Plant height and the fruits per plant were significantly affected by increasing salinity concentrations. Moreover, the number of leaves, flower size, and yield exhibited highly significant differences among treatments, indicating physiological and morphological stress induced by salinity. However, there were no significant differences observed in stem diameter, number of branches, leaf length and width, number of flowers, fruit set, or fruit length and diameter across treatments. Findings confirmed that tomato growth and yield are highly sensitive to increasing salinity levels, with leaf development and fruit biomass being particularly affected. The observed changes in plant performance under saline irrigation highlights the importance of monitoring and managing soil salinity to ensure sustainable tomato production. Further research is recommended to explore mitigation strategies, such as salt-tolerant cultivars and soil amendments, to counteract the detrimental effects of saline irrigation on tomato cultivation.