Deficit irrigation effects on broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. Monet) yield in unheated greenhouse condition

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of deficit irrigation on yield for broccoli grown under unheated greenhouse condition. The research was carried out at the Agricultural Research Station of Yenisehir High School of Uludag University in Bursa, Turkey, in 2007. In the study, water was applied to broccoli as 1.00. 0.75, 0.50, 0.25 and 0.00% (as control) of evaporation from a Class A Pan corresponding to 2 day irrigation frequency. Irrigation water applied ranged from 70 to 522 mm, and water consumption ranged from 88 to 542 mm. The effect of irrigation water level on the yield, head height, head diameter, head weight and dry matter were found to be significant. The highest yield was 29.2 t ha(-1) Crop yield response factor (k(y)) was found as 1.04 The highest values for water use efficiency (WUE) and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) were found to be 6.71 and 6.50 kg m(-3) for the K2(cp) treatment. Under the conditions that water resources are scarce, it can be recommended that K2(cp) treatment is most suitable as a water application level for broccoli irrigation by drip irrigation under unheated greenhouse condition.