Effect of flooding and salinity as a result of climate change on tomato production in the coastal zone of Benin

The production of tomato in the coastal regions is affected by flooding and salinity conditions. A survey was conducted in this region to know the impact of change in climate on tomato production. Two types of flooding conditions are prevalent: flash flooding and severe flooding where water remains stagnant for weeks. The results also show that climate change is exacerbating the existing a-biotic factors (flooding and salinity) by significantly affecting tomato development, growth and yield and yield components as reported by farmers. Flooding and salinity pose a serious threat to some producers and forced them to abandon their agricultural lands in severe cases. The repeated yield losses in some other areas caused tomato producers to move from their field close to the sea to the field far away. The producers said that flooding conditions commence at the end of June till middle of August. The producers previously grew their tomato in the areas of study in May but because of repeated flooding every year they were compelled to shift their sowing calendar. A total of 16 tomato varieties were recorded in the areas of study. Gbamingbo variety was moderately resistant to flooding conditions while Aclinkonkoui and Petomeche varieties appear to be moderately tolerant to salinity due to their average performance in terms of yield and yield components.