IRRIGATION REQUIREMENTS OF SWEET PEPPER (Capsicum annuum L.) GROWN IN PLASTIC GREENHOUSES UNDER EL-ARISH CONDITIONS: III:VEGETATIVE GROWTH, YIELD AND ITS COMPONENTS AND WATER USE EFFICIENCY

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Plant Production and Protection Department (Vegetables) Faculty of Environmental Agricultural Sclences-Suez Canal University

2 Soli and Water Department Faculty of Environmental Agricultural Sciences-Suez Canal University

Abstract

This study was carried out at the Experimental Farm of the Faculty of
Environmental Agriculture Sciences in EI-Arish. Suez Canal University. during the
early summer seasons of 1999-2000 and 2000-2001. Sweet pepper (Capsicum
an
nuum L.) plants cv. Sonar were grown in plastic greenhouse (9 x 60 m.). Irrigation
water was supplied through trickle irrigation system. Five irrigation treatments were
carried out as follow: (A) one irrigation per day,( B) two irrigations with the same
quantity per day (half in the moming and half at evening),(C) one irrigation per 2 days.
(D) two Irrigations with the same quantity per 2 days (half in the moming and half at
evening). and ( E) one irrigation per 3 days. Every treatment was irrigated with the
same quantity of irrigation (based on water requirement for one day), which gradually
increased from December to June.
Vegetative growth, yield and its components, fruit dimensions. leaves
phosphorous and potassium contents, uptake of N, P and K and actual
evapotranspiration (ETa) increased with increasing Irrigation water quantity.
Treatment (D) gave the highest value of water use efficiency (W.U.E) followed by (B).
(C), (E), (A). respectively. While, leaves total chlorophyll content, leaves nitrogen
content, fruit content of total soluble solids and fruit content of vitamin (C) increased
with decreasing irrigation water quantity.