Potato Response to Different Irrigation Regimes Using Saline Water†. (6th May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nagaz, K.; EL Mokh, F.; Alva, A.K.; Masmoudi, M.M.; Ben Mechlia, N.
• Is Part Of: Irrigation and drainage. Volume 65:Number 5(2016:Dec.)
• Page Start: 654
• Page End: 663
• Publication Date: 2016-05-06
• Subjects: salinity -- water management -- irrigation scheduling -- deficit irrigation -- water productivity -- economic evaluation; salinité -- gestion de l'eau -- pilotage d'irrigation -- irrigation déficitaire -- productivité de l'eau -- évaluation économique; Irrigation engineering -- Periodicals; Drainage -- Periodicals; Flood control -- Periodicals; Sustainable agriculture -- Periodicals; 627.52
• DOI: 10.1002/ird.1987
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1531-0353

Abstract

Abstract: Field experiments were performed to study potato response to irrigation regimes using saline water on a sandy soil in southern Tunisia during the years 2011–2014. Irrigation regimes consisted in the replenishment of cumulated ETc when 35% of the root zone holding capacity is depleted at levels of 100% (I100), 70% (I70) and 40% (I40). The farmer used a fixed irrigation dose and interval, applying 16 mm every 4 days from planting till harvest. Higher soil salinity is observed at harvest under I40 and farmer treatments compared to I100. Highest potato yield was obtained with I100 treatment (24.4–27.5 t ha ‐1 ) across 3 years. Significant reductions in yields were observed under I70 and I40 as compared to I100. The farmer's method also caused significant reductions in yield and resulted in using 15–22% more irrigation water than I100. Water productivity (WP) values varied between 4.3 kg m −3 (farmer) and 18.5 kg m −3 (I40) across different years and treatments. The scheduling technique using the soil water balance (SWB) with variable amounts is more efficient than the farmer's method. Full and deficit treatments (I100 and I70) generated the highest net income. I100 appears to be a promising irrigation strategy for the potato crop in the arid climate of Tunisia. Nonetheless, under water scarcity, irrigation of potato could be scheduled using I70 deficit strategy, with some yield reductions (12.5–23.0%). Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.