Potato evapotranspiration and yield under different drip irrigation regimes

• Published in: Irrigation science Vol. 23; no. 3; pp. 133 - 143
• Main Authors: Kang, Y, Wang, F.X, Liu, H.J, Yuan, B.Z
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer Nature B.V 01.12.2004
• Subjects: crop yield; Drip irrigation; Evapotranspiration; irrigation scheduling; Loam soils; microirrigation; Moisture content; Potatoes; soil matric potential; Soil water potential; Soils; Solanum tuberosum; Vegetables; Water potential; Water use; water use efficiency; China
• ISSN: 0342-7188; 1432-1319
• DOI: 10.1007/s00271-004-0101-2

A field experiment comparing different irrigation frequencies and soil matric potential thresholds on potato evapotranspiration (ET), yield (Y) and water-use efficiency (WUE) was carried out in a loam soil. The experiment included five treatments for soil matric potential: F1 (-15 kPa), F2 (-25 kPa), F3 (-35 kPa), F4 (-45 kPa) and F5 (-55 kPa) and six treatments for irrigation frequency: N1 (once every day), N2 (once every 2 days), N3 (once every 3 days), N4 (once every 4 days), N6 (once every 6 days) and N8 (once every 8 days). Results indicate that both soil matric potential and drip irrigation frequency influenced potato ET, Y and WUE. Potato ET increased as irrigation frequency and soil matric potential increased. Comparing soil water potential, the highest ET was 63.4 mm (32.1%) more than the lowest value. Based on irrigation frequency treatments, the highest ET was 36.7 mm (19.2%) more than the lowest value. Potato Y and WUE were also found to increase as irrigation frequency increased. Potato Y increased with an increase in soil water potential then started to decrease. The highest Y and WUE values were achieved with a soil matric potential threshold of -25 kPa and an irrigation frequency of once a day.