Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of no-tillage and conventional planting systems, and of weed- management strategies on water-usage efficiency in capsicum crops. The experiment was carried out at the Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Arido in Mossoro, Rio Grande do Norte, using a split-plot layout in a randomized block design with four replications. The tillage systems were evaluated in the plots, and three weed-management strategies evaluated in the subplots (soil cover with polyethylene film, and with and without weeds). The density and dry mass of the weeds, the commercial and total productivity, and the daily water consumption were all evaluated. It was found that the no-tillage system reduced the density and dry mass of the weeds in comparison to conventional systems, and the interference of these plants reduced commercial productivity under both planting systems. The strategy of weeds under a no-tillage system, despite a higher water consumption, showed a productivity and efficiency of water usage superior to those of the strategies of polyethylene film both under no-tillage and conventional systems, and of weeds under a conventional tillage system.
Highlights
The green pepper (Capsicumn annuum L.) belongs to the solanaceous family of plants and is among the five vegetables with the greatest cultivated area, both in Brazil and around the world (MOREIRA et al, 2008)
The association of the use of efficient irrigation methods, such as drip irrigation employing a suitable volume of water, has been shown to increase the efficiency of water usage, providing suitable conditions for optimum plant development and higher productivity (TEÓFILO et al, 2012; VIANA et al, 2007).beyond the effective control of the volume applied in irrigation, the adoption of mechanisms that may promote greater efficiency in water usage is fundamental to raising the water-retention capacity of the soil by increasing infiltration and reducing evaporation and surface runoff
Several other studies showed a lower incidence of weeds under a no-tillage system (TEÓFILO et al, 2012; soil covered reduce the maximum temperatures (SILVA), 2010)
Summary
The green pepper (Capsicumn annuum L.) belongs to the solanaceous family of plants and is among the five vegetables with the greatest cultivated area, both in Brazil and around the world (MOREIRA et al, 2008). The water supply is seen as a limiting factor in its implementation, especially in the semi-arid region This water supply, both quantitatively due to drought as a result of low rainfall coupled with the high potential for water loss through evapotranspiration, and qualitatively, since much of the semi-arid region is of soils having problems of salinity, where the unsuitable usage of water with high concentrations of salts possibly further aggravates the situation. The association of the use of efficient irrigation methods, such as drip irrigation employing a suitable volume of water, has been shown to increase the efficiency of water usage, providing suitable conditions for optimum plant development and higher productivity (TEÓFILO et al, 2012; VIANA et al, 2007).beyond the effective control of the volume applied in irrigation, the adoption of mechanisms that may promote greater efficiency in water usage is fundamental to raising the water-retention capacity of the soil by increasing infiltration and reducing evaporation and surface runoff. A ground cover of plant material (straw) is one of the principles on which the no-tillage system is based, as well as not turning the soil and of crop rotation
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