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Optimum water need of sweet pepper and the critical irrigation level to be applied in order to achieve a reasonable economic yield was determined. Greenhouse (controlled) was conducted with sweet pepper subjected to three (3) varying water applications; 100% full irrigation treatment (FIT), 70% FIT and 50% FIT. Crop water use (evapotranspiration) was determined using the water balance method. For the agronomic parameters measurement, weekly measurements of plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves and canopy temperature were measured. The sweet pepper were determined in batches during harvest. Result showed that the growth parameters significantly (p < 0.05) increased with increase in water application. The highest value of 707.78 g was recorded at irrigation treatment that received 70% of FIT while the least value was recorded in treatment that received the least amount with a value of 665.2 at 50% FIT. Overall, similar yield (p > 0.05) was observed in the yield quantification. This showed that about 50% of irrigation can be saved to irrigate additional plant. Highest values of irrigation for the irrigation and crop water efficiencies were obtained at the deficit irrigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on radiation use and physiological development such as leaf area of crops planted under screen-house and ambient environments is very scarce in the sub-Saharan part of Africa. This research therefore was aimed at investigating the radiation use of tomato under screen-house and ambient environment to determine its leaf area index (LAI) under different irrigation water treatments: 100% Field capacity (100%FC), 75% FC, 50% FC and rain-fed condition in ambient environment. AccuPAR LAI 80 Ceptometer (Decagon Device) was used for direct measurement of the above and below canopy photosynthetic active radiation, fraction of beam interception (Fb), leaf distribution coefficient (chi), leaf area index (LAI), zenith angle (ϑ), and ratio of below canopy PAR and above canopy PAR (τ). The radiation uses efficiency of tomato planted in screen-house and under ambient condition was evaluated from the yield of tomato and fraction of beam intercepted by tomato plant. Result showed RUE values of 0.29 ± 0.02 kg MJ-1m-2, 0.56 ± 0.002 kg MJ-1m-2, 0.6 ± 0.001 kg MJ-1m-2 and 0.21 ± 0.01 kg MJ-1m-2 for the tomato plant grown under 50%, 70%, 100% irrigation level, and control sample, respectively. The highest LAI values (0.42) was obtained from tomato under 75% irrigation water level at the ninth weeks after transplanting (9 WAT), which was found to be 22% higher than the tomato under the 100% FC irrigation water level (0.27). The research information has revealed the yield potential and effectiveness of radiation utilization of tomato irrigated to 100% FC in controlled environment when compared with tomato grown under ambient condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]