Effects of subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) and plastic mulching on melon crop under protected environment

摘要

The modern techniques of water supply through irrigation can substantially reduce water loss, which contributes to attend the enlarging water demand. The objective of this work was to study the influence of subsurface drip irrigation and plastic mulching over melon yield and quality characteristics, in a sandy soil (Typic Hapludox). The experimental design was blocks at random, with four replications. Treatments were displayed in a 2 X 3 factorial (with and without mulching X surface and 0.20 and 0.40 depth subsurface drip irrigation). Mulching using double-sided silver/black film increased fruit average mass, plant production, yield, daily growth rate for plant height and crown diameter, fruit distal diameter, and pulp thickness. The subsurface drip irrigation at 0.20 m depth resulted in larger fruit average mass, plant production, and yield than surface and 0.40 m depth drip irrigation.