Effect of drip irrigation and plastic mulch on crop yield and yield components of cantaloupe

2007

Seyfi, K.; Rashidi, M.

Field experiments were conducted to study the influence of three irrigation methods corresponding to conventional (surface), drip and drip in combination with plastic mulch on cantaloupe (Cucumis melo) during 2004 and 2005. Three different irrigation methods i.e., conventional (CI), drip (DI) and drip in combination with plastic mulch (DI + PM) were applied to cantaloupe between emergence and harvest. Number of fruits per plant, fruit weight and fruit thickness (yield components) were measured and consequently crop yield and water use efficiency (WUE) was determined for all treatments. Data suggested that irrigation method significantly (P less than or equal to 0.01) affected the fruit weight and fruit thickness, but not the number of fruits per plant. The highest fruit weight and fruit thickness was obtained for the DI + PM treatment and lowest for the CI treatment. The results of the study also indicated that irrigation method significantly affects cantaloupe yield in the order of Dl + PM greater than DI greater than CI owing to differences in fruit weight and fruit thickness in the same order. The crop yield was highest, (27.07 t ha-1) for the DI + PM treatment The yield from DI treatment was intermediate but lowest (22.47 t ha-1) from CI treatment. The highest WUE (0.91 t ha-1 cm-1) was obtained from DI + PM treatment and lowest (22.47 t ha-1 cm-1) from CI treatment. The DI + PM treatment was found to be more effective irrigation method in improving WUE and increasing cantaloupe yield.

[International Journal of Agriculture and Biology (Pakistan)]

2007/PK/PK2007_0.rdf