Abstract:
Abstract—This study aimed to investigate the effects
of water stress on the growth, yield, and taste components
of the "Padma" tomato variety, offering valuable insights
for farmers contending with limited water resources in
the dry zone of Sri Lanka. Employing three treatments—
drought stress, control, and excess water stress—the
research reveals that drought stress significantly
diminishes plant wet weight (169.9±29.7 g) and dry weight
(66.7±11 g), impacting parameters like branches, plant
height, and leaf count. In the realm of yield and fruit
dimensions, excess water stress proves advantageous,
yielding larger fruit diameters (3.7±0.25 cm) and higher
yield per plant (742±196), while drought stress results in
lower values. These findings not only enhance our
understanding of water stress effects on tomato
cultivation but also offer practical guidance for farmers
in water-scarce regions, aiding them in optimizing crop
management strategies for sustainable and efficient
production
