Muskmelon Production under Mulch and Trickle Irrigation in the Jordan Valley

Abstract

Abstract The effects of different plastic mulching using drip irrigation on yields, soil temperature, crop water requirements, and root density and distribution were determined for muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) at the Jordan Valley Research Station, Jordan. There were no significant differences among transparent, black, and nonmulched treatments with respect to irrigation amounts, soil moisture depletion, total water supplied, deep percolation losses, and vapotranspiration. Root weights, density, and distribution, horizontally and vertically, were not significantly different among treatments. Transparent mulch treatment yields averaged 14.2 t·ha-1 and were significantly lower (5% level) than average yields (28.7 t·ha-1) of the black mulch treatments. Nonmulched treatment yields averaged 6.0 t·ha-1 and were significantly different from the average transparent mulch (5% level) and from black mulch (1% level). This difference in yield may be attributed to the fact that black mulch treatments received more irrigations than transparent mulch and bare ones. Calculations of expected potential evapotranspiration for muskmelon during the season showed that the plants did not receive their water requirements.