Regulated deficit Irrigation in watermelon development

Abstract

The use of water deficit irrigation strategies makes it possible to maintain productivity and increase water use efficiency. This paper aims to evaluate the effect of regulated deficit irrigation on the productivity and quality of watermelon fruits in a semiarid region of Bahia. The research was conducted in the experimental area of IF Baiano, Campus Guanambi-BA with Crimson Select Hollar Premium, planted at a spacing of 2.5 m x 1.5 m. The experimental design was randomized blocks with five treatments (T) and four replications: T1 - full irrigation (100% of crop evapotranspiration - ETc) during the crop cycle; T2 - full irrigation in the initial phase and regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) with 50% of ETc in the remaining phases; T3 - full irrigation until the beginning of fruiting and RDI with 75% of ETc until harvest; T4 - full irrigation until the beginning of fruiting and RDI with 50% of ETc until harvest and T5 - full irrigation until the beginning of fruiting and RDI with 25% of ETc until harvest. Under the study conditions, irrigation with RDI at 50% of ETc can be planned after the initial development of the crop, as it allows productivity maintenance, greater water use efficiency and reduction of water footprint. Pulp yield, soluble solids content, number of fruits per plant, fruit width, mass, length and circumference were similar among treatments.