REGULATED DEFICIT IRRIGATION AND DIFFERENT MULCH TYPES ON FRUIT QUALITY AND YIELD OF WATERMELON

Kleiton Rocha Saraiva,Rubens Sonsol Gondim,Thales Vinícius De Araújo Viana,Solerne Caminha Costa,Francisco Marcus Lima Bezerra

doi:10.1590/1983-21252017v30n219rc

Kleiton Rocha Saraiva, Rubens Sonsol Gondim + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-21252017v30n219rc

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Abstract

ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to assess the pulp resistance, soluble solids and yield of watermelon fruits grown under different irrigation managements (determined by the ISAREG model) and mulches, and their interactions. After a survey carried out on local producers, two experiments were conducted, using a completely randomized block design in split-plot arrangement with four replications, in the Teaching, Research and Extension Unit (UEPE) of the Federal Institute of Ceara (IFCE), Jaguaribe-Apodi Irrigation District (DIJA), State of Ceara, Brazil. The treatments consisted of four irrigation managements in the plots, M1 (100% of the available-water capacity (AWC) of the soil), M2 (80%), M3 (60%) and M4 (average water depth used by local producers) and four mulch types in the sub-plots, without mulching (C0) with rice husk (C1), white plastic (C2) and black plastic (C3) as mulches. The results were subjected to analysis of variance, and significant results were subjected to regression (irrigation managements), average test (mulches) and trend graphs (interaction between the factors). The irrigation management practiced during the watermelon crop cycle by the local producers of the Irrigation District of Jaguaribe-Apodi (DIJA) in the State of Ceara, Brazil, is not appropriated, since they usually apply more water than the highest water depth determined by the ISAREG model (100% of the AWC). The plants grown under irrigation water depth of 365.20 mm (M1) and soils with mulches of rice husk or white plastic had the highest yields and fruits with better quality of soluble solids and pulp resistance.

Highlights

MATERIAL AND METHODSThe increasing water scarcity due to population growth, irregular precipitation and economic development is increasing challenging the agriculture and requiring new solutions for water management in irrigated areas, especially in the Brazilian semiarid region, in which the water is limited
The data input in the ISAREG for the simulation process were from local researches on the soil physical characteristics, crop phenological stages [which are well-defined as Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4, Stage 5 and Stage 6] and water availability factor (f) and root system effective depth (Z) of each phenological stage. This model required input of data on the water management, three irrigation managements determined by the ISAREG (60%, 80% and 100% of the available-water capacity (AWC)) and one from the local producers in the District of Jaguaribe-Apodi (DIJA) were used
The treatments consisted of four irrigation managements in the plots, M1, M2 and M3 and M4 and four mulch types in the sub-plots, without mulching (C0) with rice husk (C1), white plastic (C2) and black plastic (C3) as mulches

Summary

Introduction

MATERIAL AND METHODSThe increasing water scarcity due to population growth, irregular precipitation and economic development is increasing challenging the agriculture and requiring new solutions for water management in irrigated areas, especially in the Brazilian semiarid region, in which the water is limited. The interaction between regulated deficit irrigation (ISAREG model) and mulching may increase crop yield and decrease water use.

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