Drip irrigation in Southern Italy

Tugnoli, V.; Bettini, G.; Marzi, V.; Sarli, G.

Drip irrigation in Southern Italy

1999

Tugnoli, V. | Bettini, G. (Associazione Nazionale Bieticoltori, Bologna (Italy)) | Marzi, V. | Sarli, G.

In environments characterized by high temperatures and low rainfall, irrigation of sugarbeet crops sown in the autumn and winter represents a particularly important technique for obtaining high production yields. The need for limiting water consumption while maintaining constant moisture for the plant has led ANB (Associazione Nazionale Bieticoltori) to attempt trials using the drip irrigation method. The two-year-test was aimed at evaluating three different drip irrigation systems and comparing them to the traditional sprinkling method as well as to a completely non-irrigated control group. Results show an increase in root weight which was higher in the drip-irrigation test groups than for the sprinkling method. On the other hand, polarization decreases for the drip group, while it increases for the sprinkler group. Increases in sucrose proved to be greater for sprinkling as compared to the drip method, which however was significantly better than the control group. Statistical analysis of the two-year means revealed equal significance of the test groups with closely positioned drip irrigators and for the sprinkling method, with respect to the non-irrigated control. Among the various drip systems, positive results were obtained when lines were closely positioned (1.5 to 2 meters) and in particular when 15 millimetre hoses were used. The interaction between the rows in direct contact with the drip irrigators and external rows was not statistically significant, while there was a significant difference between years.

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