Growth, Yield, Yield Components and Water-Use Efficiency in Irrigated Cantaloupes under Full and Deficit Irrigation

摘要

Water scarcity is a limiting factor for crop production in arid and semi-arid regions. To evaluating effects of deficit irrigation (DI) on growth, yield, yield components and water-use efficiency (WUE) in cantaloupe crop (Cucumis melo L.) under semi-arid conditions, a field experiment based randomized completely block design (RCBD) with three replications was conducted. In this experiment, three irrigation treatments consisted of 60 (I 60 ), 80 (I 80 ), and 100% ETc (I 100 , Control) were applied during the growing season. Based on the results, the highest total crop yield (30.3 t ha -1 ), mean number of fruits per plant (4.9), mean fruit weight (1.508 g), plant main stem length (194.6 cm) and total leaf area (24.375 cm 2 ) were obtained in I 100 , while highest chlorophyll (Chl) a, total Chl content and Chl stability index obtained at I 80 treatment. Moderate water s tress (I 80 ) did not reduce cantaloupe yield but led to increase WUE and total soluble solids (TSS). Under I 60 treatment, the yield was reduced by 35.3% mainly due to decrease of fruit weight, while value of WUE (0.89 t ha -1 cm -1 ) in this treatment was 45.9% greater than I 100 . Maximum value of TSS (9.3%) was achieved at I 60 . Based on the total fruit yield, the preferable level of DI for cantaloupe production is I 80 , and in region that goal is preserving water resources, I 60 treatment, recommended.