Water and Nutrient Requirements for Drip-irrigated Vegetables

8/16/2019 Water and Nutrient Requirements for Drip-irrigated Vegetables

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Southern Cooperative Series Bulletin 363

Water and Nutrient Requirements

for Drip-Irrigated Vegetables

in Humid Regions

January 1992

Agricultural Experiment Station

Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

University of Florida

J.M. Davidson, Dean


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Contents

Authors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..i

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Water requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tomato . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Nutrient requirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..3

Other vegetables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..6

Succession cropping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...6

Economic considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..7

Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...7

Literaturecited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...8

Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...10


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Water and Nutrient Requirements

for Drip-Irrigated Vegetables

in Humid Regions

Th is pu blica t ion w a s pr od uced a s a r es ult of r es ea r ch con du ct ed i n S ou th er n R eg ion a l R es ea r ch P r oject

S-143, “Trickle Irrigation in H u mid R eg ion s .”

D r . J . R . F is ch er , Ad m in is t ra t i ve Ad vi sor , S -143

D ea n a n d D ir ect or

S ou t h C a r ol in a Ag r icu lt u r a l E x per im en t S t a t i on

104 B a r r e H a ll

Clemson Universi@

Clemson, SC 29634-0351

,

Ad di tion a l copies of t h is pu blica t ion m a y be or der ed h or n C . M . H in t On , P u b lica t ion s D is tr ib ut ion C en t er ,

I F AS B u il di ng 664, U n i ver s it y of F lor id a , G a i n es vi ll e, F lor id a 32611.

Th e I n st i tu t e of F ood a n d Ag r icu lt u r a l S ci en ce s i s a n E q u a l E m pl oy m en t O pp or t un it y - Af 15.r m a t iv eAct i on

E m ploy er a u t hor iz ed t o pr ovi de r es ea r ch , ed uca t ion a l i nf or ma t ion a n d ot h er s er vices on ly t o in divi du a ls a n d

i ns tit u tion s t h a t fim ct ion w i th ou t r eg a rd t o r a ce, color , s ex, a g e, h a nd ica p or n a t ion a l or ig in .

—------ . . . . -,—.-.. . ,------ . .,

.... . . P.. - .,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

.,.... . ..— -.—.- . .. ..- . .


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Contributing authors

S . J . L oca s ci o

U n ive rs it y of F lor ida

Veg et a b le C r ops D ept .

G a i nes dle, F L 32611-0514

G . A. C la rk, AA. C sizin szky, a nd C . D . S ta nley

U n i ver s it y of F lor id a

G u lf C oa s t R es ea r ch & E d uca t ion C en ter

B ra den tm , F L 34203

S . M. C )ls on a n d F . R hoa d s

U n i ver s it y of F lor id a

N or t h F lor id a R es ea r ch & E d uca t ion C en t er

@iI I C y, FL

32351

A. G . S m a js tr la

U n iv er si @ of F lor id a

Ag r icu lt u r a l E n g in eer ing D e pt .

Ga inesvil le , FL 32611-0361

G. Vell idis

U n iv er a i @ of G e or gi a

B iolog ica l & A gr icu lt u r a l E n g in ee rin g D e pa r t me n t

C oa s t a l P l a in E xper im en t S t a t ion

‘1’ifton, G A 31793-0748

R . J . E dlin g

L ou is ia n a S t a t e U n i ver si t y

Agricultural Engineering

B a t o n Rouge, LA 70803

H . Y. H a nna

L ou is ia n a S t a t e U n iv er s it y

por t S ulph ur , L A 70083

M. I t. Goyal

U n iver sit y of P u er t o R ico

Col le ge St a t ion

B OX5984

M a y a g uez , P u e r t o R ico 00681-5984

S . C rossma n a nd A L Na va rro

U n iver sit y of t h e Vir gin I sla n ds

R u r a l R QU @ 2, B O X 10000

Krlgshill,

St.Croix,VI 00850

i


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Introduction

Veg et a bles gr ow n in t he h um id r eg ion s of t he

U n it ed S t a t es a r e g row n w i th in t en siv e pr od uct ion

pr a ct ices . S oil f um ig a nt s, a d eq ua t e r a t es of fer t il-

i zer , pol yet h y len e m u lch , cl os e pl a n t s pa c in g , p es t

m a na g em en t, a n d ir rig a tion a r e u sed t o obt a in h ig h

q ua lit y a n d m a xim um pr od uct ion . Alt h ou gh r a in -

fa ll in t he a rea is a s much a s 150 cm during t he

y ea r , d is t rib ut ion i s n ot u ni for m t h rou gh ou t t h e

yea r . Most veget a bles in t hese a r ea s a r e gr ow n

d ur in g t he fa ll, w in ter , or ea r ly s pr in g w h en r a in -

fa ll is rela t ively low a nd irr iga t ion is necess~ t o

pr ev en t pla n t w a t e r s t res s. .Tom a t o

.Lycopersi con

escu len tum Mi l l . )

y ields in a &y y ea r w er e t ripled

w i t h i rr ig a t ion (L oca s ci o a n d M y er s , 1974).

S p ri nk le r a n d s eepa g e (s ub su r fa c e) i rr ig a t i on a r e

t h e m os t com m on ly u sed s ys t em s for veg et a ble pr o-

d uct ion . I r r ig a t ion a p pl ica t i on e ff ici en ci es a v er a g e

a b ou t 70% a n d 50% r es pe ct i ve ly . Wi t h pol yet h y l-

e ne -mu lch ed v eg et a b les , i r r ig a t ion e ff icien cy wi t h

s pr in kler ir r ig a t ion a v er a ges a b ou t 50% B ot h

m et h od s r eq u ir e t h e u se of r ela t i vely la r g e q ua n t i-

t ies of w a ter . Mea n w a t er a pplica t ion a m oun ti of

4t n5cm ” w klbyspr in kler a nd10t a 15cm ”w k-1

b y s eepa g e (s ub su r fa ce ) i rr ig a t i on a r e com m on ly

u sed on m ulch ed t om a t o (P er sa u d et a l., 1976).

During very dry per iods, 6 t o 8 cm “ w kl ma ybe

r eq ui red t o m a in t a in a d eq u a te s oi l m ois t ur e u nd er

t he m ulch w it h spr in kler ir riga t ion . I n m a ny a r ea s

w h er e veg et a bles a r e g row n , w a t er sh or ta g es a r e

b ecom in g a cu te. I n ot her a r ea s , a va ila b le w a t er is

b ecom in g s a lin e b eca u se of s a lt w a t er in t ru si on .

pr og ra m s of w a t e r con ser va t ion a r e es sen t ia l f or

t h e con t in u ed s u cces sf ul p rod u ct i on of v eg et a b les i n

ma n y loca t ion s .

I n r ece nt y ea r s , d r ip (t r ick le or m icr o-) i rr ig a t ion

h a s been s how n t o be a h ig hljj efficien t m et hod of

a pply in g w a t e r for veg et a b les (L oca s cio a n d M yer s,

1974) w i th a p pli ca t i on a m ou nt s of on ly 2 t o 2.5 cm o

WW for a t om a t o cr op (1.a ca s ci o et a l ., 1989). Th e

dev elop men t of t h is

new

s y st em r eq u ir es r es ea r ch

on t he fr eq uen cy , d ur a tion , a n d a m ou nt of w a t er

a p pl ica t i on , n u tr ien t s ou r ces , r a t e s, p la c em en t a n d

t im e of a p plica t ion , in for m a t ion on w a t er d el iv er y

s y st e ms i ncl ud in g e m it t e r t y pes , e mi t t er s pa ci ng ,

e mi t t er l oca t i on s , a n d econ om i c con s id er a t i on s of

cos t s a n d r et u rn s.

Th e pu rpos e of t h is pu bl ica t i on i s t o s um m a r iz e

in for m a t ion d eveloped in t h e S ou th er n R eg ion a l R e-

s ea r ch P r o ject S -143, “ Tr i ck le I r r ig a t ion i n H u m id

R eg ion s” on t h e ef fi cien t u se of d r ip ir r ig a t ion f or

vegetables.

Water requirements

Wa t e r r e q uir eme n t s f or comme r cia l ly -g r own

veget a bles va r y d epen din g on a n um ber of fa ct or s

i nclu din g cl im a t e, s oi l t y pe, cr op g row n , s ta g e of

g row t h , a n d cu lt u ra l pr a ct ices . Wa t er s ch ed ulin g

w i th d ri p i rr ig a t ion i s cr it ica l t o t h e s ucces sfi d u se

of t he s ys tem . S t ud ies h a ve been con du ct ed h

eva l ua t e v a riou s s ys t em s t o s ch ed ule w a t er a p pl ica -

t ion s. P la n t w a t er u se in r ela t ion t o pa n eva por a-

t ion (P a n W h a s been eva lu a ted in r esea r ch con -

d uct ed in F lor id a a n d t he Vir gin I sla n ds. Wit h

P a nm , w a t er is a pplied t o t he cr op ba sed on a fr a c-

t ion of t he a m oun t of w a t er eva por at ed fr om a U .S .

Wea t h er S er vice C la s s A pa n a t t h e cr op pr od uct ion

s it e. Th e u se of t en si om et er a i n s ch ed ul in g w a t er

a p pli ca t ion w a s a l so eva l ua t ed in F lor id a , P u er t o

R ico, a n d t he Vir gin I sla n ds . Wor k w it h t en siom -

et er s h a s d ea lt w it h w a t er a pplica t ion s t o m a in ta in

t h e s oi l w a t er t en sion a b ove a s pecif ic poi nt .

Tomato

P a n eva por a tion d ur in g in a t ypica l s pr in g

t om a to sea son in F lor ida is a bout 45 t o 50 cm

(20 in ch es ). R a in fa l l i s h ig hly v a ria b le b y loca t i on

a n d by s ea s on . R a in fa ll a n d P a n E Tby 2-w eek per i-

od s d ur in g t he 1988 a n d 1989 t om a t o s ea s on s a t

G a in esville, F L a nd B r ad en ton , F L a r e sh ow n in

Ta ble 1. R ain fa ll pa t ter ns va r ied dur in g t he 2 sea -

son s but P a n m va lues w er e sim ila r . E a rly sea son

P a nm WS Ea bout 4 t Q5 m m “ da l a nd la t e sea son

w a s a bout 6 m m. da l. Ra infa ll va ria t ion influ-

en ces cr op r espon se t o w a t er q ua nt it y. D a ta a re

s um m a r iz ed in Ta b le 2 i i-em a 2-y ea r s tu dy con -

duct ed a t Quincy, F L on a t ie sa ndy loa m soil a nd

a t G a inesville, F L on a fine sa nd (hca scio et a l,,

1989). E a rly h it y ield s w er e sim ila r w it h a pplica -

t ion of w a t er q ua n tit ies of 0.5 a n d 1.0 P a n m (Ta ble

2). H ow ev er , t ot a l y iel ds w er e s ig nif ica n t ly in flu -

en ced by w a t er q ua nt it y a t bot h loca t ion s. On t he

fin e s a nd y loa m s oil a t Qu in cy , t he r es pon se t o

w a t er q ua nt it y in ter a ct ed w it h y ea r. I n 1984, w hen

r a in fa ll w a s r ela t ively low except ea r ly in t he s ea -

s on , t ot a l m a rket a ble y ield w a s sig nifka n tly g rea h

er w it h 1.0 P a nm w a t er q ua nt it y (69.4 t “ h a-l) t h an

w it h 0.5 P a nE T (62.5 t . ha l). D ur in g t he 1985 sea -

son , w hen r a in fa ll q ua n tit ies w er e h igh la t e in t he

s ea s on , t ot a l y iel ds w er e s im il a r w i th a p pl ica t ion

of bot h w a t er q ua nt it ies. On t he he sa nd a t

G a in esdle, m ea n t ot + m ar ket able yield for t he

t w o s ea s on s w a s 7.2 t . h a -l gr ea t er w it h a pplica t ion

of 0.5 t ha n 1.0 P a nm w a t er q ua nt it y (Ta ble 2). Th e

sa m e w a t er q ua nt it y a pplied in eit her 1 or 3 t im es

per da y ha d sim ila r effect s on t it y ields.

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S in ce t h e u se of 0,5 P a n m r es ult ed in h ig her f i-u it

pr od uct ion t ha n u se of 1.0 P a p m a t G a i nes ville,

s t ud ies w e re con du ct ed t o ev a lu a t e f ur t her r ed uc-

t ion s in w a t er (L oca s cio a n d S m a js tr la , 1989). To-

m a t oes w er e g row n w it h w a t er q ua n t it ies of O, 0.17,

0.34 a n d 0.50 P a n m . M a rket a ble fr uit of ext r a -

l a rg e, la r g e, a n d t ot a l y ield s w e re i ncr ea s ed s ig rr if l-

ca n t ly b y i rr ig a t ion (Ta b le 3). I r ri ga t i on in cr ea s ed

m a r ket a b le y ield s a b ou t 40% ov er t h e y ield ob -

t a i ned w i t h t h e n on -ir r ig a t ed t r ea t m en t . Alt h ou gh

t he yields of ext ra la rge a nd la rge fit t ended t o

in cr ea s e w it h a n in cr ea s e in w a t er q ua n t it y a pplied

f rom 0.17 t o 0.50 P a n m , on ly t he t ot a l m a r ket a ble

y ield w a s in cr ea s ed s ig nif ica n t ly by w a t er q ua n t it y .

Tot a l y ield s in cr ea s ed lin ea r ly fr om 64.4 t o 70.4 t “

h a-l w it h a n in cr ea se in a pplied w a t er q ua nt it y. I n

pa s t w or k, t om a t o y ield s d ecr ea s ed s lig ht ly w it h a n

in cr ea se in w a t er q ua n tit y h or n 0.5 t o 1.0 P a n m

(Ta ble 2).

D a t a f rom r es ea r ch s tu dies con du ct ed a t Qu in cy ,

F la . a re sh ow n in Ta ble 4 (R hoa ds a nd Olson ,

1989). I r rig a tion q ua n t it ies f rom 0.25 t o 1.0 P a n m

d id n ot in fl uen ce ea r ly m a r ket a b le y ield . H ow ev er ,

t h e r el a t ion sh ip b et w een a m ou nt of i rr ig a t ion a n d

t ot a l m a rket a ble y ield w a s q ua d ra t ic. H ig hes t

y ield s w er e pr od uced w it h 0.75 a n d L O P a n m ir ri-

ga t ion . Avera ge fit w eight s w er e gr ea t er w it h

0.75 a nd 1.0 P a nm t ha n w it h 0.25 a nd 0.50 P a nm .

D a ily a pplica t ion of w a t er r es ult ed in h ig her y ield s

t ha n t he s am e t ot a l w a t er q ua n tit y a pplied 3 t im es

per w eek (da ta n ot show n) in one st udy a nd ha d no

eff ect in a n ot h er s tu dy (L oca s cio et a l., 1989). I t

w ou ld a ppea r f rom t h e pr es en t f ield s tu dies a n d

t h os e of ot h er s (K a f ka f i a n d B a r -Yos ef , 1980;

L oca s cio et a l., 1981 a n d 1989) t h a t t om a t o ir rig a -

t ion r eq uir em en ts a r e bet w een 0.5 a nd 1.0 P a n m on

iin e sa nd y s oils but a r e bet w een 0.75 a nd L O P a n m

on t he iin e sa nd y loa m soils used in t he pr esen t

studies.

I n a st udy con duct ed a t Ruskin, F la . on a Lske-

la n d f in e s a n d, d ri p-i mig a t ion s ch ed ulin g a n d r a t e

of N in ject ed in t o t h e ir rig a t ion w a t er w er e s tu died

on t om a t ies (C la r k et a l., 1987). S eepa g e ir rig a t ion

w a s u sed f or cr op es t a bl is hm en t t h en s upplem en t a l

ir rig a t ion s w er e s ch ed uled , 1) by u se of m a nu a lly

r ea d t en siom et er s t o m a in t a in s oil w a t er t en sion a t

15-cm soil dept h a t 10 t o 15 kpa , a nd, 2) by use of

a u t om a t ic s w it ch in g t en siom et er a pla c ed a t b ot h

15-cm a n d 30-cm d ept h s s et t o pr ov id e ir r ig a t ion a t

15 k P a . I r rig a t ion w a t er q ua n t it ies a pplied u nt il

t h e f ir st h a rv es t w er e 6.8 cm (680,000 lit er s “ h a l)

a nd 5.8 cm (580,000 lit er s “ h al) w it h t he 2 t rea t -

m en t .s , r es pect iv ely . I n a on e-pi ck h a r ves t of m a -

t ur e g reen f ru it , f ru it y ield w a s n ot in flu en ced by

t ot a l in ject ed N r a tes of 170,255, a nd 340 kg oh al.

M et h od of s ch ed ulin g w a t er a pplica t ion h a d n o s ig -

n if ica n t ef fect on t ot a l m a r ket a b le y ield (Ta b le 5)

b ut y ield of la r ge f ru it w a s s ig nif ica n t ly g rea t er

w it h t he m a nua l sch ed ule w it h m or e w a t er a pplied

t ha n w it h t h e a u t om a t ic s ch ed ule.

A s tu dy t o com pa r e s ubs ur fa ce ir rig a t ion a n d

d rip ir rig a t ion for t h e pr od uct ion of t om a t oes on a

s a nd y s oil w a s per for med in I m mok a lee, F la . (C la r k

et a l ., 1987a ). I r ri ga t i on a m ou nt s w er e s ch ed uled

in t he d ripir riga t ed plot s t o m a in ta in s oil w a t er

t en sion s a t 15 kpa or b el ow u si ng t e ns iomet e ra

pla ced a t 15 a n d 30-cm d ept h s. S eepa g e ir rig a t ion s

w er e m a na g ed t o m a in t a in a 0.38- t o 0.45-m d eep

w a t er t a ble.” Yield s a n d f ru it s iz e w er e g rea t er w it h

d ri p ir r ig a t ion t h a n w i t h s eepa g e ir r ig a t ion (Ta b le 6).

S t ud ies w er e con du ct ed a t B r a den t on , F la . d ur -

in g fa ll 1987 a n d s pr in g a n d fa ll 1988. Ten siom -

eters w er e used t o m a in ta in s oil w a t er t en sion s a t

t hresholds of 10 l@a a nd 15 kpa a nd N w a s in-

ject ed in to t he ir rig at ion w a t er a t 228 a nd 342

kg - h a l (C la r k et a l., 1989). Th e ir riga t ion w a t er

q ua n t it ies a pplied a r e s um ma r iz ed in Ta b le 7. To-

m a to fr uit y ield s w er e n ot in fluen ced by N r a tes of

228 a nd 342 kg. ha l dur ing t he 3 sea sons or by ir ri-

ga t ion t rea t men t dur in g t he 2 fa ll sea son s. D ur in g

s pr in g 1988, h ow e ver , t h e y iel d of l a rg e f i-u it a n d

t h e t ot a l m a r ket a b le y ield a w e re s ig nif ica n t ly

gr ea t er w it h 10 t ha n 15 kpa soil w a t er t en sion

(Ta b le 8). Th e h ig hes t i rr ig a t ion a p pl ica t i on s w i t h

t he 2 t rea t ment s w er e 33 cm a nd 20 cm of w a ter,

respectively.

Tom a t oes a n d ot h er v eg et a bles a r e of ten g row n

w it h d rip ir rig a tion on h ig h w a t er t a ble s oils .

Ve ll id is e t a l . (1987), con s t r uct e d f ie ld l ysi met e r s

t h a t w er e in st r um en t ed t o per mit s epa r a t e m ea -

s ur em en t of cr op w a t er u se f rom d rip ir rig a t ion a n d

h or n t h e w a t er t a ble. Vellid is et a l. (1988) r epor t ed

t h a t 16 t o 34 per cen t of t om a t o ev a pot r a n spir a t ion

w a s obt a in ed fr om a 72-cm d eep w a t er t a ble even

t hough t he cr op w a s d rip ir rig at ed d aily . Th e r ela -

t ive a mount of w a ter ext ra ct ed fm m t he w a ter t a ble

in cr ea sed w it h pla n t gr ow t h a nd w it h soil w a t er -

holding capacity .

Vel lid is et a l . (1990a ) d ev el oped a d a t a a cq u is i-

t ion s ys tem t o con t in uou sly m ea s ur e s oil w a t er po-

t en t ia l s u nd er f ield con dit i on s t h rou gh ou t t h e cr op

g row in g s ea s on . Th e s ys tem u sed pr es su re t r a ns -

d ucer s m ou nt ed on t en siom et er s a n d i nt er fa ced

w it h a m icr ocom pu ter . I n st ud ies of t om a to w a t er

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ext r a ct ion pa t t er n s on fin e s a nd s oi ls , Vel li di s et a l .

(1990b) foun d t ha t t her e w a s ver y lit t le ch a nge in

s oil w a t er s ta t us a t h or iz on ta l d is ta n ces g rea t er

t ha n 25 cm fr om t he d rip ir rig a tion la t er a l. Th ey

d em on st r a t ed t h a t f req uen t (d a ily or m or e ofin )

ir rig a tion s w er e n eed ed t o m a na g e w a t er a n d n ut ri-

en t s i n t h is s ma l l s oi l v ol um e.

I n s t ud ies con du ct ed in t h e Vi rg in I sl a nd s, t om a -

t oes w er e gr ow n on a F reden sbor g cla y loa m soil t o

eva l ua t e t h e ef fect s of ir r ig a t ion s ch ed ulin g a t v a ri-

ou s s oi l w a t e r con t en t s (N a v a r ro, 1987; N a v a r ro,

1989). S um mer a n d fa ll pla n ted t om a t o y ield s w er e

i nf lu en ced b y d r ip i rr ig a t ion r a t q s of 0.4,0. 6, 0.8,

a nd 1.0 P a nm . I n t he sum mer , y ields w er e sign ifi-

ca n tly gr ea t er w it h 0.6 P a nm t ha n w it h zd l ot her

t rea t men ts, w hile in t he fa ll, 0.8 P a nm w a s t he su-

p er ior t r ea t m e nt (Ta b le 9). Th e r es pon s es of ‘R oYa l

C h ico’ a n d ‘Tr opi c’ t om a t oes t o s oi l w a t e r t en s ion s

of 20, 40, a nd 60 kP a plus a n o ir riga t ion t rea t men t

w er e a ls o eva lu a ted . Th e h ig hes t y ield s of R oy a l

C hico’ w er e w it h t he 40 a nd 60 kpa t rea t men ts,

w h ile t h e 20 kpa pr ov id ed t h e h ig hes t ‘Tr opic’

y ield s. Th us , cu lt iva r s va r ied in t heir r es pon se t o

s oil w a t er t en sion (Ta b le 10). l kv os oi l w a t er con -

t en ts a n d t w o em it t er pla cem en ts w er e u tiliz ed in

a n ot her s tu dy (N a va r ro a n d N ew m a n, 1989). S oils

w er e m aint ained a t 20 t o 30 lips (high) a nd a t 40 t a

50 k l?a (low ). E m it t er pl a cem en t on t h e s oi l s ur fa ce

or s ub su rfa ce h a d n o eff ect on y iel d (Ta b le 11).

Yield s w er e sig nifica n tly h ig her w it h t he h ig h ir ri-

gation

q ua nt it y t ha n w it h t he low q ua nt it y a nd

m ea n y ield s w er e 54.6 t ” h a-l a nd 45.4 t ” h sl,

r es pect iv ely . Week ly P a n m v a lu es d ur in g t h e cr op

pr od uct ion sea s on w er e 28.1 m m for J a n ., 28.6 m m

for F eb. a nd 32 m m for Ma r. Wa ter q ua nt it ies a p-

plied a ver aged 5.5 a nd 10.4 m m ow ld for t he low

a n d h ig k i rr ig a t ion t r ea t m e nt s , r es pect i vel y (Ta b le

11). Wit h t he h igher w a t er q ua nt it y, 119 m m of

w a t er w a s a pplied dur in g t he sea son or a bout 0.33

P a n E T. Wa t e r u se ef fi ci en cy w a s s ig n if ica n t l y

gr ea t er w it h t he low er t ha n h igh er w a t er q ua nt it y

(Ta ble 12). F or ea ch lit er of ir rig a tion w a t er a p-

plied , fr uit pr od uct ion w a s 128 g w it h 40 t o 50 kYa

soil t en sion a nd 82 g w it h 20 t o 30 kP a soil t en sion .

I n P u er t o R ico, s t ud ies w er e con du ct ed t o es t i-

m a te t ot a l w a t er con sum pt ion by t om a to on a S a n

An ton loa m y s oil in sem ia r id (J u a na D ia z) a nd hu-

m i d (I s a bel a ) l oca t i on s . Av er a g e d a i ly con s um pt i ve

w a ter use of t om at a (m m” da yl) w a s est im at ed t o

be 4.1 in t he sem ia r id sout hcoa st a nd 3.5 in t he h u-

m id n or th w es t of P u er to R ico. Aver a ge d a ily n et

ir rig a tion r eq uir em en t of t om a t a (m m - d a ~ l ) w a s

3.0 in t he sem ia r id r egion a nd 3.1 in t he h um id

r eg ion of P u er t o R ico d ur in g n or m a l y ea r s (G oy a l

a n d G on za lez, 1988). D ur in g t he d ry y ea r s d a ily

n et ir rig a tion r eq uir em en t w a s 3.8 m m in t he

sou th coa s t com pa r ed t o 2.8 m m in t he h um id n or th

r eg ion of P u er t o R ico. Tom a t o y ield s w e re h ig hes t

w i t h i rr ig a t ion s ch ed u li ng b a s ed on t e ns iom et er s

pla ced a t t he 30-cm s oil d ept h (G oy a l a n d R iver a ,

1985),

I n P or t S u lfi m, L a ., t en si om et er s w er e pla ced

n ea r t om a t o r ow s a t 15-cm d ept h t o s ch ed ule ir rig a -

t ion . I rr iga t ion w a E in it ia t ed a t eit her 10 or 30

kP a . Yield s of ext ra la rge, la r ge, a nd t ot a l fr uit

w er e s ig nii5ca n tly h ig her w it h t he 10 t ha n 30 kpa

t rea t m en t. Tot a l y ield s of ext ra la r ge a n d la r ge

fr uit w er e 47.9 a nd 43.5 t ” ha -l a nd w er e 43.3 a nd

38.9 t ” hd w it h t he 10 a nd 30 kl?a t rea tm ent s,

respectively.

Nutrient requirement

I n a d di tion t o w a t er m a n a gem en t , s ucces sf ul t o-

m a t o pr od uct ion i s g rea t ly a f fect ed by r a t e, com po-

s it i on , pl a ce men t , a n d a p pl ica t i on t i m e of f er t il iz er .

B e ca u se of t h e pot en t ia l va l ue of m ulch ed t om a t oes ,

s om e p rod u ce rs m a y ov er fe rt i li ze t o m i ni m iz e r i sk

of low pr od uct ion d ue t i in fer t il it y . Alt h ou gh t om a -

t oes a r e m or e t oler a nt of s olu ble s a lt s t ha n m a ny

veg et a bles , d a m a ge ca n occu r w i th exces siv e con -

cen tr a tion s of fer tiliz er . I f t he s oil in t he bed u nd er

t he m ulch is a llow ed t o b ecom e d ry , s a lt s a r e con -

cen t ra t ed a n d r ed uct ion s in g row t h m a y occu r.

O ver -i rr ig a t ion w i t h d r ip i rr ig a t i on ca n a l s o r ed u ce

y ield by l ea ch in g s olu ble n ut r ien t s. Th is pot en t ia l

in ju ry a n d y ield r ed uct ion ca n be m in im iz ed by

pr oper f er t il iz er u se a n d w a t er m a n a gem en t .

P o or ly d r a in ed Yi a t w ood s” s oi ls t y pi ca l ly u sed

for t om a t o pr od uct ion in F lor id a a r e ext r em ely a cid

(pH 3,5 t o 4.0) in t he n at ive st a te. Th e s oil m ust be

l im ed t o pH 6.0 t o 6.5 f or b es t t om a t o pr od uct ion .

At low pH levels, Al, F e, a nd Mn a r e m or e solu ble

a n d t heir t oxici~ r ed uces t om a t o pla n t gr ow t h.

Af ter lim in g, t h e r is k of t oxici @ of t h es e el em en t s i s

r ed uced a n d t h e t r a ns for m a t ion s of or ga n ic-N t o

N H 4-N a n d N I V-N t o N WN pr oceed m or e r a pi dly .

Th e q ua n tit y a n d sou rce of lim e d epen ds on s oil

t es t r es ul ts . D olom it ic li mes t on e i s a p plied or M g

is a dded h t he fer tilizer w her e s oil t es t low in Mg.

Wit h h igh a n nu a l

ra infa l l

a n d low exch a ng e ca pa c-

it y of t hese soils, soluble n ut rien ts such a s N a nd K

g en er a lly d o n ot a ccu mu la t e fr om s ea s on t o s ea s on

a nd usua ~ y m ust be a pplied for ea ch t om a to cr op.

I n som e a cid s oils, a pplied P ca n be lea ch ed a nd in

ot her s, P is r apid ly fied t o un ava ila ble for ms. F er -

3


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t ili zer a g en er a lly m us t s upply 90 t o 95% of t h e

crops N needs a nd O ta 100% of t he P , ~ a nd micro-

n u tr ien t r eq u ir em en t s d epen d in g on s oi l t e st v a l-

ues. Ma r l a nd r ock soils ha ve high pH levels in

con t ra s t t o t he pH of vir gin f la t w ood s s oil s, bu t

t hey a r e a lso t ier tile s o t ha t pla n t d eficien cies of

a l l el em en t s except C a m a y occu r w it h ou t f er t iliz a -

t ion . S oil t es tin g w i th a ca l ib ra t ed ext r a ct ion s olu -

t ion s hou ld b e u sed t o d et er m in e fer t il iz er n eed s for

t h e cr op .

Th e n u tr ien t r eq u ir em en t s of d r ip-i rr ig a t ed t o-

m a to in F lor id a s eem s t o be ver y sim ila r t o s pr in -

k ler a n d s eepa g e-ir rig a ted t om a t o. F er t il iz er r a t e

s tu dies w it h d rip-ir r ig a t ed t om a t i a r e n ot a bu n-

da nt . I n st udies by P er sa ud et a l. (1976) on sa ndy

s oi ls , ch ip -i fi ga t e d t om a t o y iel ds i ncr ea s ed l ih ea r l y

w it h a n in cr ea s e in N -K r a ts fr om 100-110 N -K t o

300-330 k g N -K . h a -l. Wor k by R hoa d s a n d O ls on

(1988) on a s a nd y l oa m s oil in dica t e t h a t m a xim um

t om a t o y ield s ca n be pr od uced w it h 134 t o 224

kg . h a-’ N . Wit h ca r efu l con tr ol of w a t er a pplied ,

excellen t fit y ield s h ave been pr od uced in F lor id a

w i th 220-220 kg N -K . h a -l,

In Port Sdfi.w, L a ., m u lch ed t om a t oe s w e re

g row n w i t h a pr ep la n t a p pl ica t i on of 90-118-224 k g

N-P -K . ha ’, S ided ress a pplica t ion s of N a t 13 a nd

26 kg. h a -l ffom a m mon iu m n it ra t e w er e a pplied

w eekly d ur in g t he gr ow in g sea s on . F ru it y ield s of

ext ra la r ge, la r ge a n d t ot a l fr uit w er e h igh er w it h

t he 26 t ha n t he 13 kg “ h a l N sidedress ra te.

I n s tu di es con du ct ed n ea r C h a rles ton , S .C . on a

l oa m y h e s a n d, d r ip-i rr ig a t ed , pol yet h yl en e-

m ulch ed t om a toes w er e gr ow n h eva lu at e N r a te,

K r at e a nd N a nd K pla cem en t on pla nt nut rien t

s ta t u s, f ru it y ield , a n d fr uit f ir m nes s (K a r len et a l .,

1985). J n on e of 3 sea son s, t he y ield of la r ge fr uit

w a s sig nifica n tly h igh er w it h 202 kg. h a -l N t ha n

w it h 134 kg” ha -l a nd low est w it h 67 kg” ha l.

H igh est yields of ext ra la rge h it w er e pr oduced in

2 of 3 yea rs w it h 134 kg” ha -’ N. The K ra tes of 46,

140, a nd 280 kg. h wl ha d no effect on y ield n or d id

ba nd or br oa dca st pla cem en t of t he N a nd K

Wh er e m icr on u tr ien t s a r e l mow n t o b e n eed ed ,

st udies ha ve show n t ha t 1.0 k g. ha -l of C u a nd B ;

2 t o 2.5 kg” ha -l of Mn a nd h, 3.5 t o 6 kg oha -l of

F e, a nd 12 t o 24 g oha l of Mo should be a pplied

(O ls on a n d L eca s ci o, 1985). S ou r ces ca n i ncl ud e

ox ides , s u lf a t e s, a n c ilor ch ela t es . Wh er e t a ma t oe s

h a ve b een pla n t ed befor e, C u w ou ld n ot b e n eed ed

if C u s pr a y m a t er ia l s w er e u sed t o con t rol b a ct er ia l

d is ea s es . S oil t es t r es ult s s hou ld be u sed t o d et er m -

in e pr ecis e n ut rien t n eed s on a s pecific s it e.

Fertilizer application

S olu ble n ut rien ts a r e r a pid ly m oved w it h t he w a -

t er fr on t a w a y fr om t he poin t of a pplica t ion . S in ce

t he zon e n ea r es t t he d rip t ube is t he m os t h igh ly

lea ch ed, pla cem en t of t he t ube 8 t o 10 cm a w a y

fr om t he pla n t h a s r es ult ed in bet t er pla n t g row t h

a n d n ut rien t u pt a ke t ha n w it h t ubes pla ced n ea r er

t he pla n t. Tubes pla ced fiu -t her a w a y m a y n ot be

a ble t a pr ovid e w a t er or n ut rien ts t o t he r oot s n ea r

t h e pla n t g row n , es pecia l ly in s a nd y s oi ls .

H ig hes t t om a t o y ield s w er e obt a in ed w h en on ly

pa r t of t he n ut rien ts w er e a pplied pr epla n t a s con -

t r a st t o s ll pr eph mt a ppli ca t ion (L oca s cio et a l .,

1982). Th us , w it h d rip ir rig a t ion on coa r se t ex-

t ur ed soils t est in g low in ~ a bout 30-40% of t he N

a nd ~ a ll t he P , a nd m icronut nent s should be a p-

plied br oa d ca st befor e bed din g. & soon a s t he d rip

sy st em is oper a tion a l, N a nd K sh ould be a pplied

d ur in g t he s ea son w it h t he w a t er u nt il t he r em a in -

i ng 60-70% i s a p pl ied , R es ea r ch r es ul t s s how e d

t h a t n o y ield d .iR er en ces occu rr ed w h en t h e a d di-

t ion a l N a n d K w a s a pplied w eekly , biw eekly or

d a ily . Am ou nt s t o be a pplied ea ch w eek of t he

gr ow in g s ea son ca n be ba sed on a per cen ta ge of t he

t ot a l N a nd K t o b e in ject ed. A gener al sch edule

ba s ed on a 13-w eek sea son cou ld be a s follow s: 2, 4,

6, 8, 12. 5>12. 5, 12. 5, 12. 5, 7. 5, 7. 5, 7. 5, 7. 5 a n d ) 0.

Th is sch ed ule r eflect s t he pla n t g row t h r a te. I n r e-

cen t w or k w it h t om a to in F lor id a (D a ng ler a nd

L oca s ci o, 1990), t om a t o g row t h w a s s im il a r w i th

t he a bove sch ed ule a n d w it h a con st a nt a m oun t of

8% w eekly of t he d rip-a p plied N -K Th e s ch ed ule

ca n be m od if ied t o m a ke it s im pler , s uit g row er s’

s ch ed ul es , or s ui t ca l ib ra t i on of i nject i on eq u ip-

m en t . Wi t h t h e a v a il a bi li ty of m icr op roces sor s f or

fiel d u se, in ject ion of fer t iliz er ca n be d on e a u ti-

r na t ica lly . N ut rien ts m ove w it h t he w a t er fr on t in

t h e s oil, t h us ov er -w a t er in g ca n r es ult in m ov in g

nut rien ts out of t he r oot zone a nd m ay r esult in nu-

trient deficiencies.

In a hea vier soil, or a soil t ha t con ta in s a hea vy

s ub soil n ea r t he s ur fa ce, t h e u se of t h e s pli t a ppli-

ca t ion of N a nd K ma y not be of benefit . In st udies

i n N or t h w es t F lor id a (L oca s ci o, et a l . 1989, R h od es

a n d O ls on , 1988) n o y ield d i&e re nce s occu r r ed

w hen a ll N a nd K w a s a ppI ied pr epkm t or a pplica -

t ion s w er e s pli t b et w een pr epla n t a n d fer t ig a t ion .

I n t he h ea vier s oil, t he w et t in g pa t t er n w ill spr ea d

ou t m or e a n d t h e pr epla n t a ppl ied b roa d ca s t n ut r i-

en ts ca n be ut ilized by t he pla nt r oot s. Th is a lso

occu rs in s oi ls w i th s ha l low s ub soi ls s in ce t h e w et -

t in g pa t ter n w ill be m od ified . I n a sa ndy soil, it is

ha rd t o keep even one side of a bed w et a nd in

4


9/21

m an y in st a nces t he off t ube sid e r em a in s d ry a nd

n ut r ien ts on t h a t s id e w i ll n ot be u tiliz ed .

I n s tu dies con du ct ed in P u er t o R ico d ur in g t h e

w i n t er 1983-84 a n d 1984-85 s ea s on s , t oma t a r e-

s pon se t o d ri p-a p pli ed N a n d poly et h yl en e m u lch

w er e ev a lu a ted . Wit h t h e a pplica t ion of 300 kg ”

h al N fr om ur ea , ‘D uke’ t om a to pr od uct ion w a s

higher w it h pa rt of t he N a pplied by dr ip during t he

n -w eek s ea s on t ha n w it h a ll a pplied pr epla n t

(Ta b le 13). Yield s w er e h ig her w it h 30 t o 100% of

t he N a pplied via d rip t ha n a l l a pplied pr epls nt .

Als o, y ield s w e re h ig her w i t h pol yet h ylen e m ul ch

t ha n w it h no m ulch (G oya l et a l., 1985; L ui et a l.,

1987).

S t ud ies w er e con du ct ed in t he Vir gin I sla n ds t o

ev a lu a te t he eff ect on t om a t o pr od uct ion of r a t es of

d ri p-a p pli ed f er t il iz er . Th e a p pl ica t i on of 2 r a t es

(3.0 a n d 1.5 kg - h a ’. ir r ig a t ion -’) of 20-9-17 (N -P -

K ) on 2 ir riga t ion sch edules (0.8 a nd 0.6 pa n~ did

n ot s ig n if ica n t l y i nf lu en ce ‘N-69’ t oma t i p rod u ct i on

(Ta b le 14). Al so, y ield of ‘Tr opi c’ t om a t o w a s n ot

s ig ni fica n t ly in flu en ced b y t h e a p pl ica t i on of N a n d

P t a

Supply

100-100-0, 200-100-0 a nd 200-200-0

kg oha ’ N-P -K (Ta ble 15). I n a t wo-yea r st udy , t he

r es pon s e of ‘N-69’ t oma t o p rod u ct i on t o va r y in g

r a tes of fer tiga t ed ur ea w a s in vest iga t ed. U r ea w a s

a pplied a t O, 3.5, 7.1, a nd 14.2 kg N. ha l. fert iga -

t ion -l f or 13 a p pl ica t i on s d ur in g 6 w e ek s (N a va r r o

a n d C ol lin gw ood , 1988). Tr ea t m en t s w e re ir r ig a t ed

a t 3.4 lit er s “ pla nt l “ w eeld. Only pla nt height

at

flowering was

in flu en ced in y ea r 1 (Ta ble 16). I n

t he secon d y ea r, 9 fer tiga t ion s w er e m a de a t t he

a bove N r at es. F ruit y ields w ere low est w it h t he no

N t rea t ment a nd highest w it h t he 14.2 a nd 3.5 kg .

N . h a -’ . f er t ig a tion ’ t r ea t m en t (Ta b le 17).

Veg et a b les pr od uced in F lor id a a r e n or m a ll y

grow n on r aised beds 76 t o 90 cm w ide a nd 20 cm

h igh . K ova ch et a l., 1983 in ves tig a ted t h e ef fect of

bot h t he bed w id th a nd h eigh t on ca uliflow er (B r a s-

sica olerai ea L ., B ot r y t is g rou p) a n d t om a t o pr od uc-

t ion in a n ef for t t o r ed uce t he a m ou nt of poly et h yl-

en e m ulch n eed ed a n d t o im pr ov e s oil m ois tu re

w h en u si ng a m icr oi rr ig a t ion s ys t em . C a u lif low er

a nd t om a to w er e gr ow n on m ulch ed bed s w it h d rip

i rr ig a t ion t o d et er m in e t h e ef fect of com bin a t ion s of

bed height s (15 t o 20 cm ) a nd w idt hs (60 a nd 90 C IU

for ca u liflow er , 60 a n d 70 cm for t om a t o) on cr op

y ield . Th e effect of differ in g a m oun ts of N a nd K

(327-407, 395-490,462-575 kg. ha ’, respect ively)

w er e a l so eva lu a ted on t a m a t oes . C a uliflow er

grow n on a 20 cm high a nd 60 cm w ide bed pro-

d uced a s ig nif ica n t ly g rea t er n um ber of m a r ket a b le

cu rd s a nd few er culls t ha n w it h a ll ot her t rea t -

m en t s. Als o, t h e t ot a l m a rk et a ble w eig ht of ca u li-

f low e r w a s s ig nM ca n t ly g rea t e r f or ca u lif low er

grow n on t he 20 cm high a nd 60 cm w ide bed t ha n

ca uliflow er grow n on a 15 cm high a nd 76 cm w ide

bed . Tom a t i m a rket a ble y ield s w er e n ot s ig nifi-

ca nt ly a ffect ed by bed h eigh t a nd w idt h w it h t hese

v er y h ig h N -K r a t es . Th es e r es ult s d em on st r a t e

t h a t a r ed uced b ed s iz e fi-om t h a t com mon ly u sed

w ou ld n ot r ed uce pr od uct ion pot en t ia l of t h es e v eg -

etables.

S eepa g e i s of t en u sed f or v eg et a b le pr od uct ion on

v er y sa n dy s oils in s ou th F lor id a : Th is s ys t em n ot

on ly pr ov id es a m ea n s for ir rig a tion for cr op w a t er

n eed s, bu t a l so pr ov id es a m ea n s of r a is in g s oil

m ois tu re f or la n d pr epa r a t ion (bed f or min g a n d fu -

m iga t ion ). S in ce a d rip sy st em t ha t is n ot per ma n -

en tly in st a lled ca n not pr ovid e w a t er for la n d

pr epa r a t ion , a s tu dy w a s con du ct ed com pa r in g d rip

f or cr op i rr ig a t ion a n d s eepa g e ir r ig a t ion f or la n d

pr epa r a t ion , w i t h d r ip w i t hou t s eepa g e ir r ig a t ion

(C s iz in sz ky et a l ., 1986) f or f a ll a n d s pr in g s ea s on

t om a t o pr od uct ion . N o y ield a d va n ta ge w a s d e-

t ect ed f or eit h er ir rig a t ion t r ea t m en t s f or a n y s ea -

s on . I n ves t men t cos t s f or t om a t o pr od uct ion , h ow -

ever , a r e oft en gr ea t er t ha n 8650. h a l (plus pick-

ing a nd pa ckin g cost s), a nd it w a s su ggest ed t ha t

w h en d rip w a s u sed , seepa g e ir rig a tion s hou ld be

a v a ila b le t o en su re a d eq u a t e i nit i a l s oi l m oi st u re.

N or ma l w ea t h er pa t t er ns pr eced in g a spr in g t o-

m a t o cr op in s ou th F lor id a pr ov id e v er y lit t le pr e-

cipi ta t i on , s o t h e n eed f or s eepa g e ir r ig a t ion m a y be

g rea t e st d ur in g t h a t pr od uct ion per iod .

Fertilizer sources

a.Nitrogen(N)-

Th is el emen t i s mos t f re quen t ly

i nject ed in t o d r ip s y st em s b eca u se i t i s r ea d ily

l ea ch ed a n d m os t s oi ls a r e N , def ici en t . S ou rces

f or d r ip i rr ig a t ion in clu de a m m on iu m n it r a t e,

pot a s si um n it r a t e, a n d ca l ci um n it r a t e (L oca s ci o

et a l., 1982). R es ea r ch in n or t h a n d w es t F lor id a

have shown no d. ifTerencesamong these sources.

Ot h er s ou rces s uch a s a n hy dr ou s a m mon ia , a q ua

a m mon ia a n d a m mon iu m ph os ph a t e s hou ld b e

used w it h ca ut ion due t i t he t oxicit y a nd clog-

g in g h a za r d s t h ey pr es en t .

b. P h os ph or us (P ) - I n ject ion of t h is elem en t h a s

n ot been r eq uir ed . P r oper ly a pplied pr epla n t P

ba sed on soil t es t w ill sa t isfi t he pla nt n eeds.

P is lim it ed in it s m ovem ent in t he soil a nd P

in ject ed in t o t h e s y st em m a y pr es en t clog gin g

problems.

5


10/21

c.

I

d.

P o ta s si um (K ) - Th is el em en t i s ea s ily lea ch ed in

s a nd y s oils a n d u su a lly m us t be r eplen ish ed t o

m a in t a in a pr oper K con cen t ra t ion f or g ood cr op

p rod u ct i on . S ou r ce s i ncl ud e p ot a s s iu m s ul fa t e ,

p ot a s s iu m ch lor id e, or p ot a s s iu m n it r a t e .

M icr on u t ri en t s - G e n er a l ly , m icr on u t ri en t a a r e

a pplied pr epla n t but a t t im es it m a ybe n eces-

s a ry t o a d d cer ta in m icr on ut rien ti t o cor rect a

pr ob lem . C h ela t es or s ulf a t es of ir on , z in c, cop-

per , or m a n ga n es e ca n b e a p plied b y fer t ig a t ion .

C h ela t es a r e pr efer red s in ce t hey a r e h ig hly w a -

t er s olu bl e a n d w i ll u su a lly n ot ca u se clog gin g

pr ob lem s t h a t m a y occu r w i th s ulf a te s ou rces .

I-ertilizer injection

Th e d rip sy st em m ust be a llow ed t o r ea ch t he

w or kin g pr es su re of t h e t u be b ef or e i nject ion of t h e

f er t il iz er s olu t ion i s s ta r t ed . Th e len gt h of t im e

t h a t fer t ili zer i s in ject ed in t o t h e s ys t em d epen ds

on t h e a m ou nt of fer t ili zer s olu t ion t o b e in ject ed

a n d t h e i nject ion ca p a cit y of t h e s ys t em . I n ject ion

t im e in to t he s yst em sh ou ld be a t lea st t he t im e it

t ~ es t he fer tilizer t o r ea ch t he fa r th est em it tin g

or ifice. Th is ca n be d et er min ed t hr ou gh u se of a

dye

or

in ject in g ch lor in e a n d t es ti ng a t in t er va l s.

F or t h e i nject ed fer t ili zer t o b e eq ua l ly d is tr ib ut ed ,

a n d t o r ed uce clog gi ng pot en t ia l , i rr ig a t ion w a t e r

m us t be r un t o flu sh fer tiliz er s fr om t he s ys tem a f-

t e r f er t i li za t ion iq je ct ion s t op s.

Other vegetables

I n t he Vir gin I sla n ds , s pr in kler a n d d rip ir rig a -

t ion m et h od s w e re com pa r ed f or ‘G old en

Queen’

sweet corn Zea mays L . va r . rugosa) production.

S oil w a ter t en sion w a s m aint a ined a t 20 t o 30 E P a.

Yield w i th b ot h ir r ig a t ion m et h od s w e re com pa -

r a ble but t he a moun t of w a t er used w a s gr ea t er for

t h e s pr in kler i rr ig a t ion m et h od (Ta b le 18). O ver

50% mor e w a t er w a s a pplied w it h s pr in kler t ha n

d r ip i rr ig a t ion t o pr od uce com pa r a b le y iel ds of

s w eet cor n. Wa t er u se efficien cies (WJ E ) w er e 43

a n d 21 kg m a rket a ble y ield “ 1000 lit er sl ir rig a tion

w a t e r f or d r ip a n d s pr in k le r m et h od s, r es pe ct i ve ly .

Cucumber

Cucumis sa t iuus

L .) r es pon se t o d r ip

ir r ig a t ion a n d b la ck poly et h ylen e m ulch w a s eva l u-

a t ed w it h s oil m ois tu re m a in ta in ed a t 30 kpa

(C ol li ng w ood et a l ., 1989). M ul ch ed cu cu m ber s p ro-

d u ced s ig n if ica n t l y s up er ior y iel ds , u sed l es s w a t e r ,

a n d h a d a b et t er w a t er u se efficien cy a s com pa r ed

t o u n mu lch ed cu cu m ber s (Ta b le 19).

Th ree N r a tes (O, 75, 150 kg “ h al) a nd t w o a bd i-

ca t ion m et h od s (m a n ua l b a nd in g - s pl it a p pli ed : ~

a n d fer tig a tion for 12 w eeks ) w er e eva lu a ted on

‘Yo1o Won d er ’ b el l p ep per (C a p si cu m a n n uu m L .)

pr odu ct ion . P epper y ield s r anged fr om 50 t o 63 t “

h a’ but w er e n ot in fluen ced by eit her t he m et hod

or r a t e of N a p pli ca t ion (Ta b le 20).

Succession cropping

The economic compet it iveness of microirr igat ion

cou ld b e i mp rov ed b y i ncr ea s in g p rod uct i on , l ow e r -

in g t he cos t of m a t er ia ls , ext en din g t he u sefu l life of

m a t er ia l s, or s pr ea d in g t h e in st a l la t i on cos t s ov er

a d dit ion a l cr ops . A F lor id a s tu dy (S t a nley a n d

C s iz in s zk y, 1988) d es ig n ed t o ev a lu a t e con t in u ou s

cr op pi ng s eq u en ces (3 con s ecu t iv e cr op s on t h e

s a m e l a n d i si ng t h e or ig in a l p ol yet h y len e-m u lch ed

b ed s a n d m icr oi rr ig a t ion t ub in g) s how ed t h a t s e-

q uen ces u sin g a fa ll sea s on t om a t o cr op follow ed by

a w i n t er s ea s on cr u ci fer cr op [b r occol i

B nzssi ca

olera cea

L . I t a l ica g r ou p), ca b ba g e

U3rassica

olera cea

L . C a pi ta t a g rou p), or ca u li fl ow e r

Br as-

sica olera cea

L . B ot r yt is g rou p)] f ol low ed b y a

s pr in g s ea s on cu cu r bi t cr op [m u sk m el on (C u cw n i s

melo

L .), cu cu m be r, or s q ua s h (C u cu r bi t a

pepo

L.

v a r .

melopepo)l

h a d g ood pr od uct ion pot en t ia l w i th

m in im a l a d d it ion a l f ixed cos t s r eq uir ed for t h e s ec-

on d or t hir d cr ops . Ma n y cu lt ur a l fa ct or s w er e

i de nt i fi ed t o en s ur e s ucces s of t h e s y st em , i ncl ud in g

t h e n eed t o r em ov e cr op r es id ue q ui ck ly t o f a ci li ta t e

t he pla n tin g of t he follow in g cr op, t he n eed t o m in i-

m iz e d a m a ge t o poly et h ylen e m ulch , i ncr ea s ed a t -

t en tion t o clog gin g pr even tion , a n d t he n eed for a d -

d i t ion a l we ed con t r ol .

B r occoli, follow ed by t om a t o or sq ua s h a n d t hen

b r occol i w e r e pr od u ced i n s ucce ss ion r e-u si ng t h e

s a m e p ol yet h y len e-m u lch ed b ed s a t t w o l oca t i on s

on d iff er en t s oil t y pes (C lou gh et a l ., 1990). F ir st -

cr op b roccoli y iel ds w er e ea r lier a n d g rea t er w i th

d rip t ha n w it h over hea d ir rig a tion a n d in cr ea s ed

a s N -K r a t e i ncr ea s ed fr om 135-202 t o 270-404 k g”

ha ’. On a fine sa ndy soil a t G a inesville, F L, fields

of br occoli a s a t hir d cr op pr od uced w it h r es id ua l or

con cu r ren t f er t il iz a t i on i ncr ea s ed w i t h a n i ncr ea s e

in N-K r a te (Ta ble 21). On a loa m y fin e sa ndy soil

a t Quin cy , F L, t hir d cr op y ield s of b roccoli a ls o in -

cr ea s ed a s t h e r a t e of r es id ua l N -K in cr ea s ed (Ta b le

22); y ield s of t h ir d cr op b roccol i d id n ot r es pon d t o

r a t e of con cu rr en t ly a p pli ed N -K , b ut y iel ds w er e

h ig her w i th con cu rr en t t h a n w i th r es id ua l fer t il iz a -

t ion . Wit h d r ip ir r ig a t ion a n d con cu rr en t w eek ly

f er t ig a t ion , y ie ld s e qu a ll ed or e xceed ed t h os e

ob ta i ned w i th pr epla n t f er t il iz a t ion a n d s pr in kl er

i.nigat ion.

6


11/21

Economic considerations

‘E con om ic ev a lu a t ion s (P r ev a t t et a l ., 1981;

P r ev a tt et a l., 1984) were performed compar ing

d r ip i rr ig a t ion w i t h open d it ch s ub ir r ig a t ion , s ub -

s ur fa ce t i le s ub ir r ig a t ion , t r a veli ng g un , a n d cen t er

piv ot s ys tem s f or a n nua l f ixed a n d oper a t in g cos ts

i n F lor id a f or v eg et a b les . Th es e s t ud ies a s su med

eq ua l cr op pr od uct ion lev els w it h a ll s ys tem s. R e-

s ult s (Ta ble 23) sh ow ed t h a t f or a 40 h a pr od uct ion

a r ea , d rip a n d s ubs ur fa ce t ile ir rig a t ion s ys tem s

w er e t h e m os t expen siv e (f ixed cos t) w it h t h e a n -

n ua l d epr ecia t ion a n d in t er es t on t h e in it ia l in vest -

m en t bein g t h e pr im a r y f a ct or s ca u sin g t h e h ig h

cos ts . Th e m os t com mon ir rig a t ion s ys tem f or veg -

et a bles in F lor id a , open d it ch s eepa g e, h a d t h e low -

es t a n nu a l fixed cos ts , Th e a n nua l oper a t in g cos t s

w it h d rip w er e sign ifica nt ly low er t ha n w it h a ll

ot h er s y st em s ev a lu a t ed (a b ou t 50% o f t h e oper a t -

in g cos t s of open d it ch s eepa g e) d ue t o 1ow e r. w a t e r

r eq uir em en t s a n d pu mpin g cos ts . H ow ever , t h e a n -

nua l t ot a l cos ts (t he sum of a nn ua l fixed cost s a nd

oper a t in g cos t s) s how ed t h a t open d it ch s eepa g e

s ub ir r ig a t ion h a d a d is t in ct econ om ic a d va n t a ge

ov er t h e ot h er s ys t em s (Ta b le 23).

Summary

Alt h ou gh r a in fa ll is a bu nd a nt in h um id r eg ion s,

d is t ri bu t ion i s n ot u ni for m a n d v eg et a b les g en er -

a l ly r es pon d t a s upplem en t a l a p pl ica t i on s of w a t e r.

D rip ir rig a tion is a h ig hly ef ficien t m ea n s of a pply -

in g w a t e r a n d n ut r ien t s f or h ig h-v a lu e v eg et a b les ,

pa r t icu la r ly t h os e g row n w i t h pol yet h yl en e m ul ch .

I t s pr oper u se ca n r es ul t i n v eg et a b le pr od uct ion

eq ua l t o or h igh er t ha n y ield pr od uced w it h s eepa g e

or s pr in kler ir rig a t ion w it h 20 t o 50% a s m uch

water .

Th e”w a t e r q u a nt it y a p pli ed b y d r ip ir r ig a t ion ca n

be sch ed uled ef ficien t ly by u se of a f a ct or of pa n

ev a por a t ion f rom a U .S . Wea t h er S er vice C la s s A

pa n a t t he pr od uct ion sit e or t he u se of t en siom -

et er s pla ced in t he pla n t bed . Ty pica l P a n m va lues

7

vary

from a bout 3 t o 6 mm “ d al. B ased on P anm,

w a t e r q u a n ti ti es r eq u ir ed f or m os t d r ip-ir r ig a t ed

v eg et a bles on m os t s oils a r e a b ou t 0.5 t o 1.0 P a n m .

F or a 0.75 P a n m, w a t er q ua n tit ies w ould va ry fr om

a bout 2.2 t o 4 mm - da l a nd t his w at er ca n be a p-

plied in 1 t o 3 a pplica t ion s per d a y. Wit h t en siom -

et er sch ed ulin g, w a t er is a pplied t o m a in t a in t he

s oil w a t er t en sion b elow a s pecif ic poin t . On

coa r s e-t e xt u r ed s oi ls , s oi l t e ns ion s h ou ld b e ma i n-

t ained below 10 t o 15 I @a , 10 t o 15 cm below t he

d rip em it t er s. On h igh er w a t er h old in g ca pa cit y

s oils , s oil t en sion s ca n be 20 t o 30 kl?a w it h ou t r e-

su lt in g in pla n t w a t er st ress. Wh en t he soil w a t er

t en sion r ea ch es t h e s pecified v a lu e, w a t er ca n be

a pplied in a n a m oun t a bout eq ua l t o 0.5 t o 0.75

PanET.

Nu t r ie nt r equ ir emen t s for mos t d r ip-i rr ig a t e d

v eg et a bles a r e s im ila r t o t h os e for s eepa g e or s pr i-

nkler-irr iga tedveget ables. S ince soluble nut rient s

a r e r ea d ily lea ch ed b y d ri p ir r ig a t ion , pa r t icu la r ly

on coa r s e-t ex t ur ed s oi ls , N a n d K a p pli ca t i on g en er -

a lly m ust be s plit t o pr oduce m a xim um y ields. L ess

solu ble n ut r ien ta su ch a s P a n d m icr on ut r ien t s ca n

be a pplied pr epla n t w it h 30 t o 4070 of t he N a nd K

The rema inin g N a nd K ca n be t iject ed int o t he

d rip lin es t hr ou gh ou t t he g row t h of t h e cr op. Th e

w eekly a m oun t ca n be a pplied in on e w eekly or 7

d a ily a p pli ca t i on s. O n h ea v ier s oi ls , y ield s w i t h

split N a nd K a pplica t ion m a ybe sim ila r t o y ield s

w i t h a l l fer t i li zer a p pl ie d p re pl a n t .

D r ip ir rig a t ion s ys tem s h a ve a n in it ia l or fixed

expen se a s h ig h a s s ubs ur fa ce t ile ir rig a tion s ys -

t em s. An nu a l oper a t in g cos ts (n ot in clu din g m a n-

a g em en t ), h ow ev er , a r e low er t h a n ov er hea d , open

d it ch , or s ubs ur fa ce t ile s ys tem d ue t o low er w a t er

r eq u ir em en t s a n d l ow e r pu mpin g cos t s. Th us

d ri p ir r ig a t ion w i ll h a ve t h e g rea t e st econ om ic ben -

ef it s for h ig h va lu e v eg et a bles g row n w h en w a t er

cos ts a re h igh a nd t he a va ila ble w a t er q ua nt it y is

limited.

..—.


12/21

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RiCO.73 (l): 23-29.

Olson , S . M . a n d S . J . L oca s cio.’ 1985. F er t iliz er

m a na g em en t w it h d rip ir rig a tion s ys tem s. Veg -

et a b le C r ops E xt . R pt . 85-2. p. 31-33. U n iv er si ty

of F l or id a . G a i nes t il e.

P er sa u d, N ., S . J . L oca a cio, a n d C . M . G er a ld son .

1976. E ffect of r a t e a n d pla cem en t of n it rog en

a n d pot a ss iu m on y ield of m ulch ed t om a t o u sin g

d iff er en t ir r ig a t ion m et h od s. P r oc. F la . S t a t e

Hort . SOC. 89:135-138.

P r eva t t, J . W., C . D . S ta nley, a nd A A. C sizin szky .

1981. & econ om ic ev a lu a t ion of t h ree ir r ig a t ion

s ys tem s for t om a t o pr od uct ion . P r oc. F la . S t a te

Hort . SOC. 94:166-168.

R hoa ds, F . M. a nd S . M Olson . 1988. N it rogen fer -

t ili za t i on of s t a ked t om a t oes i n N or t h F lor id a .

S oi l a n d C r op S ci. S ot . F la . P r oc. 47:42-44,

S ta nley , C . D . a nd A. A. C sizin szky . 1988. P ot en -

t i a l cr op s eq u en ces f or con t in u ou s p rod u ct i on of

m icr oi rn g a t ed v eg et a b les i n s ou t h w es t F l or id a ,

U S A P r ocee&n gs of t he F ou rt h I nt er na t ion a l

M icr o-i r r ig a t ion Co ng r es s , Albu r y , N SW, Au s t r a -

l ia . Vol . 1: 7A-2.

Vellid is , G ,, A. G . S m a js tr la a n d F . S . Za z uet a .

1987. L y si met er s f or cr op w a t e r u se d et er m in a -

t ion s u nd er h igh w a t er t a ble con dit ion s. P r oc.

F l a . S t a t e H or t . S ot . 100:256-260.

Vellid is , G ., A. G . S m qjs tr la a n d F . S . Za z uet a .

1988. Wa t er u se of d rip ir rig a ted t om a t oes u n-

d er h ig h w a t er t a ble con dit ion s. P r oc. F la . S t a te

Hort . SOC. 101:376-380.

Vellid is, G ., A G . S ma jst rla a nd F . S . Za zuet a .

1990a . C on t in uou s s oi l w a t er pot en t ia l m ea s ur e-

m en t w i th a m icr ocom pu t er -b a sed d a t a a cq ui si -

t i on s y st e m. Ap pl ied E n g r. i n Ag r ic. 6(6):763-

768.

Vellid is , G ., A. G . S m a js tr la a n d F . S . Za z uet a .

1990b . S oi l w a t e r r ed is t rib ut ion a n d ext r a ct ion

pa t t er n s of d rip-ir r ig a t ed t om a t oes a b ove a s ha l -

low wa t e r t a b le. Tr a n s . ASAE . 33(5): 1525-1530,

Prevatt, J . W., C . D . S ta nley, a nd S . P . Kova ch.

1984. & econ om ic com pa r is on of v eg et a b le ir r i-

ga t ion sy st em s. P r oc. F la . S ta t e H or t. S ot .

97:213-215.


14/21

Tabla 1, Rainfall and Panm per two weak period during the 1986 end 1989

tomato seaaona at Gainaavl lle, FL

Rainfall Panm

Period

(cm) (cm)

1988

17/4 - 30/4

2.0 — 7,1

01/5 -1415

0.9

8.9

15f5 - 28/5

0.8

8.4

2915- 11/6

4.8

8.9

12f6 - 25/6

2.3

8.9

26/6 - 09/7

Q

8.9

(Total 1988) 11.8 G

1989

09/04 - 22/04

0.4 —

7.2

23/04 - 06/05 1.8

8.8

07/05 - 20/05 1.1

9.6

21/05 - 03/06 4.3

10.0

04/06 - 17/06 2.5

8.4

18/06 - 01/07 14.5

7.6

(Total 1989) z

G

Table 1 cent’d. Rainfall and Panm par two weak period during the 19@8and 1989 tomato seasons at Brsdenton, FL.

Rainfall

Panm

Rainfall

Panm

Period

cm

cm

cm cm

15/2-28/2

29/2-1 3/3

14J3-2713

28/3-1 0/4:

11/4-24/4

25/4-8/5

9)5-21 /5

Total

Spring 1988

2.9

4.5

8.3

4.8

5.1

5.9

0 8.0

0.7

7.0

6.3 5.9

Fall 1988

Spring 1989

0.3

5.0

7.0 4.5

0.5

6.7

0.2 7.6

2.5

6.3

3.1 9.6

Fall 1989

8/8-21/8

2218-419

5/9-1 8/9

19/9-211O

3/1 O-16/1O

17/10-30/1 o

31/1 o-1 3/1 1

14/1 1-27/11

Total

12.5 5.3

17.4

5.3

32.4

5.6

0.4

6.8

1.5

6.6

0

5.1

7.3

4.2

4.6

3,7

G

ZT6

6.7 7.0

18.8

3.8

13.9 4.3

16.0

4.8

1.4

6.4

1.6 6.0

0.3

5.8

1.2

4.3

G

=

10


15/21

Table 2. Main effects of water quant ity on marketable tomato fruit yiald during two seasons at two locations

in Fiorida.

Location

Water

Quincy

Gainesville

quantity Yield (t. ha-’)

Yield (t “ ha’)

(Par f’)

Early Total

Early

Total

0.5 22.9

61.0’

8.0

94.7

1.0 24.2

62.4 8.6

87.5

Significance

NS

NS

NS

*

‘Interactions between season and water quantity and between season and water frequencies were significant (**), data

provided in text.

YFvalues were significant at the 1’?4.evel (**) or not significant (NS).

Table 3. Main effects of water quanti ty on marketable tomato yield at Gainesville, 1988.

Water

quantity

Marketable yield (t” hal)

(PanH)

Ex. Iar.z

Large Medium

Total

o

9.2 22.2 16.9

48.3

0.17

14.9

30.9

18.6

64.4

0.34

16.6

31.5

19.3

67.4

0.50

17.1

33.3

20.0

70.4

Signify

Ovs water

*

*

NS

*

Quantitv NS NS NS L*

‘Mean fruit size for fruit categories were 205 g extra large, 150 g large and 115 g medium.

YFvalues were significant at the

5% level ~ )

or 1Y. level (**) and were linear (L) or not significant (NS).

Table 4. Effect of irrigation amount on early and total ma~etable yield and average fruit weight et

Quincv.

Water

Fruit

quantity

Yield (t. ha-’)

weight

(Pan”) Early Total (g “ fruitl)

0.25

16.8

42.4

187

0.50

13.7

48.9

176

0.75

16.8

62.1

198

1.00

17.5

61.4

201Y

Signif.’

NS m’

*

‘Effects were not significant (NS) or significant at the 1% Ievelr’) and were quadratic (Q).

yFruitweights for 0.75 and 1.00 Panm irrigation were greater than 0.25 and 0.50 irrigation.

11

.—.- . . . ..-— . ... .— - .. .. . --- .- -- ..


16/21

Table 5. Markatabla yield of tomatoaa from the flrat harvest, Ruskin, FL.

rina 1967.

Tensiometer

Total marketable

Large fruit

control (t. ha’)

(ts ha-’)

Manual

20.6

5.0

Automatic 1?.8 3.5

Sismif?

NS

*

‘F values were not signif icant (NS) or significant at the 5°0

level ~).

Table 6. Ylald and size of marketable tomato fruit grown with drip micro) and seepage Irrlgatlon. Immokalas, Fla.

Yield (kg/ha)

Irrigation Fruit size’

method Small

Medium

Large

Total

Drip 5488

13272

30380aw 491 40a

Seepage

7504 13944

21728b

431 76b

Sifmif.w

NS

NS

‘Small = 57 to 65 mm In diameter, medium = 64 to 71 mm in diameter, and large = 70 mm and larger in diameter.

‘Effects were not significant (NS) or significant at the 5% level ~ ).

Tabla 7. Seasonal quanti ties of Irrlgatfon water applied to the micro-lrrlgated drip) plots after plant establ ishment for the fall 1967,

eprfng 1966, and fall 1966 crops.

228 kg N - ha’

342 kg-N - ha-’

Season

10 kPa

15 kPa

10 kPa 15 kPa

------ .- . ..- ------

-- Water depth (cm) ----------------- -----

Fall 1987

25.8

16.0 26.9

16.4

Spring 1988

33.1

19.6

32.7

19.3

Fall 1988

24.4

6.3

25.31

3.7

lDoes not include water applied for soil bedding and plant establishment.

12


17/21

Table 8. Main effects of N rate and water quantity on yield of large and total marketable tomato

fruit during three seasons. Bradenton, Fla .

Season

Treatment

Fall 1987 Spring 1988

Fall 1988

N (kg - ha’)

228

342

F valu&

Soil tension (kPa)

10

15

F value

N (kg - hal)

Total marketable yield (t “ hal)

48.7 71.0

47.0

47.3

70.0

47.3

NS NS

NS

49.2

73.5

45.5

46.7

67.5

48.8

NS

NS

Large fruit (t” h )

228 10.7

34.7

11.0

342

10.0 32.9

8.3

F value

NS NS

NS

Soil tension (kPa)

10

11.2 39.1

10.3

15 9.4

28.5

9.1

F value

NS

NS

‘F values were not significant (NS) or were signif icant at the 5% level ~).

Table 9. Effact of water quantity on summer and fall tomato produo-

tlon in St. Croix.

Irrigation

Yield (t” ha’)

(Pan~

Summer

Fall

0.4

13.OC

20.OC

0.6

25.4a -

23.6b

0.8

2000b

30.2a

1.0

17.4b

17.6C

Mean separation by Duncan’s multiple range test, 5% level.

13


18/21

Table 10. Effect of twit water tension on yield of ‘Roysl Chico’ and

‘Troplc’

in St. Croix.

Soil water

Royal Chico

Tropic

tension Irrigation

Yield

Irrigation

Yield

(kPa)

(mm “ wlr’)

(t. ha-’)

(mm . wW)

(t Bha-’)

No irrigation

o

17.6az

o

30.2b

60 6.4 25.6b

7.6

30.9b

40

6.6 28.7b

9.6 31.lb

20 17.3 20.7a 14.7 38.Oa

‘Mean separation by Duncan’s multiple range test, 5% Ievei.

Table 11. Effect of soil water tension and emitter placement on tomato yield, St. Croix.

Soil tension

Mean weekly irrig.

Emitter placement

(kPa) (mm) (1 “ plant’)

Surface Subsurface Mean

------ ------ ----

Yield (t” ha’) ---------------------

40 to 50

5.5

3.1 43.9

46.9 45.4a

20 to 30 10.4 5.9 54.3

55.0 54.6b

Mean 49.la’ 51 .Oa

‘Mean separation by F test, 5°0level.

Table 12. Water use efficiency of tomato product ion for two inigation ratea and emitter placements.

Soil water

Irrigation

Yield (g . liter’ irrig. water)

tension

quantity

Emitter placement

(kPa)

(mm . wkl)

Surface

Subsurface Mean

40 to 50

5.5

133

124

128b

20 to 30

10.4

82

81 82a

Mean 102az 108a

‘Mean separation by F

W3t

5°/0

hd.

Tabie 13. Effects of the amount of N applied by drip irrfgetfon on tomato production in Puerto Rico.

Fruit yield (t” ha_’)

Polyethylene

N applied by drip .)’

mulch

30

60

100

1984-85

Mulch

40.7

53.2

69.3

67.4

No mulch 28.8 46.2 53.2 60.0

1983-84

Mulch

38.3

58.1

67.2

68.7

No mulch 39.7

48.6

53.5

62.2

‘Percentage of 300 kg” ha’ N applied by drip irrigation during an 11-week season.

14


19/21

Table 14. Effect of two irrigation and fertlgation rates on tomato product ion.

St. Croix.

Irrigation

20-9-17

Yield

(PanE~

(kg - ha’ . irrigation-’)

(t. ha_’)

0.80 3.0 68,8’

0.80

1.5 75.8

0.60

3.0

71.6

0.60

1.5

64.5

‘Treatment effects were not significant.

Table 15. Effect of fertil lzsr rate on marttetsbfe

yield of tomato CV. ‘Tropic’. St Croix.

N-P-K Yield

(kg . h-a’)

(t “ ha’)

100-100-0 34.3’

200-100-0

33.4

200-200-0 29.9

ZTreatmenteffects were not significant.

Table 16. Influence of various rates of N from urea on growth and production of tomatoes 1966). St Croix.

Plant at flowering

Fruit

Nitrogen Height Width

Size Yield

(kg “ hal) (cm) (cm) (9) (t. hal)

71 .76alY 51.1 214

86.4

46.3 81.27a 53.1 199

92.2

92.5

75.58ab

50.9 199

88.7

185.0 63.16c

47.8 217

91.0

‘Mean separation by Duncan’s multiple range test, 5% level.

Table 17. Inffuancs of vsrfous rates of N from urea onproductlon of

tomatoes 1969). St. Croix.

Nitrogen

Yield Fruit size

(kg . ha_’)

(t “ ha’)

(9)

41 .9tY

208

32

53.3a

210

64

48.5ab

204

128

57.8a

207


15

.. -- — ----- ,-.-,—.—— .-.

. ...—


20/21

Tabla 18. Yield and water uaa afficlency WUE) of irrlgatad sweet corn. St. Croix.

Total Irrigation

Yield

WUE

Treatment

(mm)

(t” ha-’)

(kg 01000 liters’)

Sprinkler

352 8.3

21

Drip

226

10.5

43

Table 19. Eifoot of mulchlng on cucumber production. St.Croix.

Yield Fruit size

Water use

WUE

Treatment

(t. ha-l)

(9)

(m’ - ha-l)

(m’” tonl)

Mulch

34mlaz 206

674.2b 19.8b

No mulch

27.8b 210

893.8a

32.2a

‘Mean separation by F tf3St,5°0leVOl,

Tabla 20. Effeot of two application methods and ratee of N on ball Wpar production. St. Croix.

Nitrogen

Yield

Fruit size

(kg Bhal)

Placement

(t. hal)

(9)

150-F= Fertigate

56.8

128abw

150-B Band

63.3

128ab

75-F

Fertigate

50.6

121ab

75-B

Band

58.9

134a

o

49.9

l18b

‘Fertigation for 12weeks (F) and 50eAbanded preplant 50Yebanded at flowering (B).


Tabla 21. Third crop broccoli yield aa effeoted by interaction of Irrigation method, N-K rate, N-K time, and crop aequenca,

Gaheavl lla, fla. , 1994.

N-K application

Sequencez and irrigation

time and rate

Br-Tm-Br Br-Sq-Br

(kgs ha-l)

Overhead

Drip Overhead

Drip

Residual

Yield (t” ha’)

135-202

2.4

0.8

4.8 0.4

270-404

6.3

2.1

7.6

1.5

Signif.Y

.*

NS

*

Concurrent

135-202

7.3 9.9

9.6

9.8

270-404

10.7

10.2

10.5 11.8

Signif.

NS

NS

NS

‘Br: broccoli, Tm: tomato, Sq: squash.

YFvalues were significant at the 5% level ~) or not significant (NS).

16


21/21

Table 22. Third crop broccoli yield as affected by interaction of irrigation method, N-K rate, N-K the, and crop aequence,Qulncy, Ft.,

19s4.

-

N-K application

Sequencez and irrigation

time and rate

Br-Tm-Br

Br-Sq-Br

(kg Bha’)

Overhead

Drip

Overhead

Drip

Residual Yield (t “ ha-’)

135-202 4.8

3.9 4.9

2.4

270-404

3.6 5.6

7.1

5.8

Signif.Y NS NS

NS

Concurrent

135-202 12.9

11.2 10.5

11.3

270-404 9.0 12.3

10.3

12.9

Signif.

NS NS

NS

‘Br: broccoli, Tm: tomato, Sq: squash.

YFvalues were significant at the

57. level ~

or nOtSignificant (NS).

Table 23. Annual fixed and varlabie coste of 5 vagetebla Irrigation systems assuming one crop per year yieiding 2500 units per ha).

Seepage

Subsurface

Traveling Center Drip

Item

tile

gun

pivot

ixe cost 8480

32733 12580 17663

33029

Variable cost

10208

7808

35482

24192

5130

Annual total costz

18688

40541

48062

41855

38159

Annual total cost. ha_l

467

1014

1202 1046 954

Total cost. unit yield-’ 0.19 0.41 0.48 0.42 0.38

‘Annual total cost is the sum of the annual fixed and variable costs for 40 ha.

Water and Nutrient Requirements for Drip-irrigated Vegetables

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