LAUSR

ABSTRACT The scarcity of water requires its judicious application and conservation for Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L) production. Tomato was grown during Nov.–Mar. 2003–2005 under the following irrigation regimes: rainfed or irrigation when cumulative pan evaporation (CPE) reached 50 mm (CPE50) or 25 mm (CPE25) and the following mulch treatments: none, rice straw, and white or black polyethylene. Fruit yield increased with increased irrigation frequency. Mulch enhanced fruit yield by 23%–58% over no mulch. The cost–benefit (CB) ratio increased with an increase in irrigation frequency. Rice straw, which is less costly and easily available, had the highest CB ratio (1:3.1) in all moisture conditions, followed by black polyethylene (1:2.9). Use of black polyethylene when water is scarce (rainfed, CPE50) has the potential to increase income compared to plants in bare soil when water is plentiful.