Production of drip irrigated squash (Cucurbita Pepo, L.) under different levels of irrigation and uniformity

Abstract

This study aimed to get the most possible benefit of using deficit irrigation to maximize water productivity of squash, besides investigating the ability of drip irrigation uniformity to reduce the effect of deficit irrigation on squash crop production (Cucurbita pepo - Hybrid Revera). Three levels of irrigation uniformity levels (UL) based on the value of uniformity coefficient (UC) namely excellent (E), very good (VG), and unacceptable (UA) were examined with three irrigation levels based on crop evapotranspiration (ET_c) which were full irrigation (FI or 100% ET_c) to be compared to two defecit irrigation levels 90% ET_c (DI₉₀), and 80% ET_c (DI₈₀). Results showed that both UL and DI had significant effect on squash production. There was significant reduction in production values due to the decrease in irrigation water  at all uniformity levels. The greatest value of water productivity (WP) for all UL was obtained at FI followed by DI₈₀ and the least was DI₉₀. The profits of water volume unit showed that the greatest values were for E level. FI recorded the greatest profits under all uniformity levels. Increasing uniformity level led to increase crop production but it could not prevent the significant reduction in squash crop related to defecit irrigation. It is recommended to manage drip irrigation uniformity and irrigation water separately as the high levels of uniformity could not prevent the effect of water shortage regarding the decrease crop production, WP, and profits.