Abstract
ABSTRACT Different irrigation times result in variable transpiration rates, due to the water availability and its interaction with the evapotranspiration demand. The vapor pressure deficit is an accurate indicator of the atmosfere evaporative capacity and can affect plants because of the movement of water in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum system. This study aimed to evaluate the plant growth, yield and water-use efficiency of bell peppers under irrigation times (8 a.m. and 2 p.m.) and water replacement levels (60 %, 80 %, 100 %, 120 % and 140 % of the crop water requirement - ETc) based on the evapotranspiration demand. The increase in the irrigation levels could be fit to linear models for the variables number of fruits per plant, mean and total fruit weight per plant, fruit length, and root, stem and total dry weight. Irrigation at 2 p.m. increased the total and mean fruit weight and number of fruits per plant, as well as fruit length, if compared to the irrigation at 8 a.m., besides increasing the yield by 50.82 % (2,343.0 g plant-1 to 3,533.6 g plant-1) and the water-use efficiency by 55.64 %. In areas subjected to water shortages, establishing irrigation times based on irrigation management practices can increase the water-use efficiency and yield for bell peppers.
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