Darwesh, R.Kh. and D. Kh. Farrag ( 2014). Irrigation cut-off as efficient scheme for maximizing cantaloupe productivity and quality Under different iron application techniquesJ. Soil Sci. and Agric. Eng., Mansoura Univ., Vol. 5 (12): 1759 - 1782, 2014
Abstract: Two field experiments were conducted to quantify the response of cantaloupe crop (Cucumis melo, Hybrid French F1) to variable irrigation regimes and Fe-fertilizer application techniques on some irrigation parameters, fruit yield, yield components, water consumption and some crop -water relations. Four cut-off irrigation regimes were assessed e.g. stop irrigation as the water front reached 100 (control), 90, 80 and 70% of the entire furrow length(FL). Four iron application techniques e.g. in soil (Fe1), foliar spraying(Fe2), in soil plus foliar spraying (Fe3) and without Fe application (Fe4) during 2012 and 2013 growing seasons. The trials were executed at Sakha Agricultural Research Station, Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate. The important findings could be summarized as follows: 1-After irrigation stopping, under 90% FL regime, water front advanced to irrigate the non- irrigated distance (7m), whereas under 70 and 80% FL regimes, the distances irrigated due to water front advancement, represented ~50 and ~75% of nonirrigated distance, respectively. Ponding times under 90, 80 and 70% FL regimes were lower by 15.91, 27.27 and 38.64%, respectively, comparable with 100% FL regime, so, the opportunity time has an adverse trend with furrow length to stop irrigation. The trend of seasonal consumptive use values were in parallel with those of applied irrigation water. The highest values of WUtE, WUE and Ecu% were recorded with cut- off irrigation as water front reached to 90%FL.
2-All of the evaluated vegetative growth traits exhibited higher figures under 100% FL cut off irrigation regime. Cut off irrigation regime of 90% FL was superior to produce fruit yield potential (17.79 and 18.01 ton fed-1, in 1st and 2nd seasons, respectively), however, the difference was insignificant comparing with 100%FL regime. Fe3 proved to be more efficient to produce higher vegetative growth than the other tested Fe application techniques.
3-The highest values of fruit weight and length traits were attained under 100%FL regime without significant difference comparing with those under 90%FL regime. In addition, the highest figures of fruit yield attributes were recorded with (Fe3).
4-Total sugar% and acidity% exhibited higher values with70%FL cut off irrigation, and the value tended to reduce, gradually, with increasing the irrigation run. Nevertheless, Vitamin C content, TSS %, fruit firmness and fruit flesh thickness exhibited an opposite trend where higher values were reported with longer irrigation run. Furthermore, higher values of all the above mentioned fruit quality attributes were attained due to (Fe3).
5-Higher values of N, P, K and chlorophyll contents in cantaloupe leaves were recorded under 100% FL irrigation regime. In addition, similar trends were observed due to (Fe3). Interaction of 100% cut off irrigation regime and (Fe3), in general, exhibited higher values of the above mentioned contents.
6-On conclusion, it is advisable to irrigate cantaloupe crop under 90%FL irrigation regime combined with applying Fe in the soil & foliar application technique in order to obtain higher and reasonable fruit yield and quality and water productivity as well
under the experimental conditions.
Keywords: (Cantaloupe yield quality, Cut-off irrigation, Crop-water efficiencies,Fe application techniques )
