Estimating the potential yield of forage maize and tomato crops under radiation-thermal condition of “Abhar” region, Iran

Potential yield of a specific crop cultivar is obtained when it is grown with water and nutrients non-limiting and biotic stress (pest and diseases) effectively controlled. In 2019, a study was conducted to estimate the potential Total Dry Matter (TDM) of forage maize and tomato under optimum growth conditions, using FAO growth model under climatic condition of Abhar region, Iran. The results showed that the potential yield of TDM and the grain in hybrid cultivars of maize which are tolerant to high plant density with leaf area index of 3.5, harvest index of 52% and growing season of 125 days, will be about 28.67 and 14.91 t.ha-1, respectively. The potential yield of tomato with leaf area index of 2.8, harvest index of 65% and growing season length of 148 days will be 212 t.ha-1.Considering the perennial nature of the latter; its yield might be increased by prolonging the harvesting period. According to the length of growth season of maize and tomato crops, the irrigation water requirement was estimated 703.9 and 830.1 mm, respectively. Findings of the study may be applied in improving the yield of study crops using revised management options under climatic conditions of the region.