Effect of Magnetized Water on Water Use Efficiency, Yield and Nutritional Qualities of Watermelon under Deficit Irrigation

Abstract

Magnetized water (MW) is a non-chemical method and new technology for crop production. It is environmentally-friendly which improves water use efficiency (WUE) and enhances high crop yield. The study was conducted to determine the effect of MW on WUE, yield and nutritional qualities of watermelon under deficit irrigation in a garden shed. A Completely Randomized Design was used for the experimental layout. Irrigation water was treated using magnetic flux density of 319 gauss. Water applied as the treatments were 100%, 80%, 60% and 50% water requirement and each treatment was replicated four times. Watermelon seed (variety: Kaolack with LOT number: VG-PV-0519-KA) was planted in 15 litres/pot (285 mm diameter and 255 mm depth) with 16 pots for MW and 16 pots for non-magnetized water (NMW). The mean yield of watermelon irrigated with 100%, 80%, 60% and 50% MW were 7.59, 5.38, 5.12 and 2.11 kg/pot, respectively while corresponding values for NMW were 6.28, 3.92, 2.72 and 1.76 kg/pot. Values water WUE of watermelon irrigated with MW were 175.69, 155.49, 197.68 and 97.69 kg/pot/m³ and the corresponding values for NMW were 154.37, 113.29, 112.74 and 61.48 kg/pot/m³. Percentage contents of water, carbohydrate, crude protein, ash, crude fibre, fat and oil in the watermelon irrigated by MW were 90.87, 4.45, 2.67, 0.54, 0.22 and 1.265%, respectively while corresponding values for NMW were 91.35, 4.15, 2.61, 0.47, 0.20 and 1.22%. Effect of MW was statistically significant on yield and WUE. MW is recommended for growing watermelon because it boosts watermelon yield, increased WUE.