Abstract
ABSTRACT An experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the Federal University of Lavras cultivated with American lettuce, cv. Raider-Plus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of irrigation water depths applied by drip pulses and of soil coverage on crop yields and efficiency of water use. The experimental design used was randomized blocks with eight treatments and three replications, totaling twenty-four plots. The treatments consisted of soil with and without coverage (double-sided white and black plastic) associated with four irrigation management levels. Irrigation management consisted in reposition of irrigation depths based on crop evapotranspiration (ETc) with D1-100% of ETc, applied continuously (control), and D2 - 100% of ETc, D3 - 75% of ETc, and D4-50% of ETc, applied by pulses. Irrigation by pulses consisted in splitting the depths into six irrigation pulses with intervals of fifty minutes of rest. It was observed that pulse irrigation saved 25% of water in treatment without mulching and 50% when plastic mulching was used, contributing substantially to improve irrigation water efficiency.
Highlights
Farming techniques that increase yield and quality with rational use of natural resources have become more popular
The irrigation by pulses technique has been studied, which consists in practice of a short period of irrigation, followed by a resting phase and another short irrigation period; this cycle is repeated until the irrigation depth is completely applied
Considering the lettuce water requirements and the benefits reported through studies about pulse drip irrigation and soil coverage, this study aimed at evaluating the effects of irrigation water depths applied via drip irrigation, with and without mulching, on yields of greenhouse grown crisphead lettuce, as well as on system water- use efficiency
Summary
Farming techniques that increase yield and quality with rational use of natural resources have become more popular. This is the main objective of modern agriculture, which is increasingly. Eng. Agríc., Jaboticabal, v.35, n.6, p.1009-1018, nov./dez. Pereira focused on investing in new technologies to enhance yield, reduce costs, and sustainably improve the quality of products. The irrigation by pulses technique has been studied, which consists in practice of a short period of irrigation, followed by a resting phase and another short irrigation period; this cycle is repeated until the irrigation depth is completely applied
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