The deficit irrigation productivity and economy in strawberry in the different drip irrigation practices in a high plain with semi-arid climate

Abstract

Management of drought stress with productive irrigation practices can be an essential way to realize rational strawberry production in regions with water deficiency. In this study, different irrigation levels (full irrigation, 25, 50, and 75% deficit irrigation) were applied to strawberry crops with different irrigation practices (SD: surface drip, SSD: sub-surface drip, and MD: surface drip covered with black polyethylene mulch) to determine the yield and quality responses of the crops to drought stress. The experiment was conducted in a high altitude region with semi-arid climate considering a split-plot randomized complete block design with three replications. The results indicated that the MD practice was the most effective in water use productivity due to provide higher yields with lower irrigation quantities without creating a decline fruit quality. Although it could not reach to the economic benefit level determined in SD practice, MD practice provided more economic benefit compared to SSD. As considering our findings, it was concluded that MD practice can be used effectively for the aim of saving water in strawberry production due to higher irrigation water use efficiency in water shortage conditions. However, SD practice can be more applicable due to provide higher economic gain while not exceeding 50% water deficit.