ISHS Acta Horticulturae 792: V International Symposium on Irrigation of Horticultural Crops
RESPONSE OF THE PAPAYA (CARICA PAPAYA L.) PLANT TO DEFICIT IRRIGATION IN THE CANARY ISLANDS |
| Authors: | J.L. Santana, M.J. Sousa, M.C. Rodriguez, C.L. Suarez |
| Keywords: | 'Baixinho of Santa Amalia' cultivar, class "A" evaporation pan, kr coefficient, water requirements, water efficiency |
| Abstract:
In recent years a trial has been carried out by the Instituto Canario de Investigaciones Agrarias (I.C.I.A.) in the Soil and Water Management Department, to evaluate the possibility of cultivating tropical and subtropical fruits. This paper reports the results of a study of the response of the papaya plant (cv. ‘Baixinho of Santa Amalia’) to different quantities of water applied through drip-trickle irrigation. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replications and each experimental unit consisted of 10 plants. The plants were distributed on the plots in rows with a planting density of 2.5 x 2.5 m. The amount of irrigation water applied was determined according to the FAO methodology of Class A evaporation pan (Eo). The irrigation treatments were: 0.2Eo, 0.5Eo, 0.8Eo and 1.1Eo adjusted for canopy radiation interception. Over the three years, annual yields of fruit, production parameters and crop quality were evaluated. The fruit was picked at the degree of ripening demanded by the market and the following measurements were determined: weight, and total soluble solids. Different physiologic parameters were studied to see the limits at which the crop response was minimized, in terms of production. In our experimental conditions, the weather and the planting dates influenced the development of the papaya plants and their yield. In the two irrigation treatments with the most water, the plants were the highest and produced bigger stems and more leaves, however the best yields were only received under the highest irrigation treatment (1.1Eo). | |
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files) | |
