Economic Return versus Crop Water Productivity of Watermelon under Full and Deficit Irrigation Conditions

Year 2017, Volume: 6 Issue: 1, 7 - 14, 15.03.2017

Hayrettin Kuşçu , Ahmet Turhan Hakan Büyükcangaz Bilge Keskin Ezgi Kurtulmuş , Ali Osman Demir

https://doi.org/10.21657/topraksu.305697

Cited By: 1

Abstract

Field research was carried out in a sub humid climate at the Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey. Using the

yield data obtained from the field research for 2011 and 2012, a partial economic analysis was conducted

for watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris, var. Crimson Sweet) at four drip irrigation treatments of full irrigation [FI,

100% evapotranspiration (ETc)] and deficit irrigation (DI) [75% FI, 50% FI and 25% FI] and then compared

to both physical and economic water use efficiency (WUE). Total costs and net incomes differed among

irrigation strategies. Marketable yield (MY) and net income to land decreased with decreases in the amount

of irrigation. The highest MY and net income to land were obtained with the full irrigation treatment. The

results showed that full irrigation is recommended under non-water-limiting environments for higher

yield and net income. The highest net income to water, physical WUE and economic WUE values were

resulted from the 75% FI. With consideration to net income and water use efficiency, deficit irrigation

management strategy of 75% FI under water-limiting conditions can be preferable, because it achieved

irrigation water savings of 25%, an increase of 9% in crop water use efficiency and an acceptable net

income with a yield loss of only approximately 8% compared with full irrigation.

Keywords

Citrullus vulgaris, limited irrigation, economic analysis, evapotranspiration

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