Effect of Deficit Irrigation on Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Watermelon

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This study examined the effects of different irrigation levels on yield and water use efficiency of watermelon irrigated with a drip system under field conditions in 2016 growing seasons at the Alata Horticultural Research Institute, Tarsus Soil and Water Resources Location in the Mediterranean region of Turkey. There were six different irrigation levels (full irrigation TS, soil water deficit in the 90 cm within the four day intervals was replenished to the field capacity; deficit irrigation KS75; deficit irrigation KS50; Partial Root-Zone Drying PRD100; Partial Root-Zone Drying PRD75 and Partial Root-Zone Drying PRD50) in the survey. Experimental design was randomized blocks with three replications. The effect of irrigation levels on yield was found differred statistically significant. Full irrigation treatment under the produced the highest yield (92.6 t ha^-1), the lowest yield was obtained in PRD_50 treatment plots (70.5 t ha^-1). Highest water use efficiency (WUE) was obtained in KS_75 and KS_50 treatments as 21.3 kg/m^3, lowest water use efficiency (WUE) was obtained from PRD_100 treatment as 19.8 kg/m^3. In the absence of water shortages TS it has been recommended based on the findings. In case of water scarcity, KS_75 advisable.

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partial root drying , defficit irrigation , watermelon , water use efficiency

Journal Of The Faculty Of Agriculture, Suleyman Demirel University

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Journal Of The Faculty Of Agriculture, Suleyman Demirel University