RENDIMIENTO Y CALIDAD DE CHILE SECO 'MIRASOL' CULTIVADO BAJO RIEGO PARCIAL DE LA RAÍZ

Abstract

The efficient use of water resources is mandatory for the dry chili producing area of Zacatecas. The objective of this study was to compare two types of partial rootzone drying (PRD) against commercial irrigation (CI) in relation to yield and fruit quality, irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE), and pepper wilt incidence (WI) of chilli cv. ‘Mirasol’. PRD treatments were PRD50 on which 50% of CI was applied alternately to both sides of the root zone, and PRD50+20 which was similar to PRD50, but additionally 20% of CI was applied to the drying side of the root system. PRD50 and PRD50+20 promoted water savings compared with CI. The fruit quality categories of dry chili and yield were similar among treatments, but yield tended to decrease in PRD50 and PRD50+20 in 2009. The IWUE tended to increase in PRD50 and PRD50+20 relative to CI. In 2008 WI was the same among treatments, but in 2009 it increased in the PRD treatments. Soil water saturation by continuous precipitations after irrigation events partially explained the increase in WI, and therefore the reduction in yield in the 2009. Nevertheless, PRD50 tended to increase IWUE by 28 % and to reduce the volume of water applied by 32 % with respect to CI. Therefore, the RPR is a promising strategy for sustainability of this production system.