Tomato growers slash water use by over 50%, boost fruit quality
This study looked at a way to save water while growing cherry tomatoes in greenhouses. By using a method called regulated deficit irrigation (RDI), they tested different ways of giving the plants water based on how their leaves were doing. The RDI method led to similar tomato yields compared to the usual watering amount but used 53% less water. Interestingly, tomatoes grown with RDI were bigger, sweeter, had more nutrients, antioxidants, and were redder in color, making them tastier and healthier to eat. Overall, using RDI for watering tomato plants can help save water and produce better-quality tomatoes.