Water requirements of crops under north Sinai conditions : response of artichoke to defict irrigations and organic application at el-sheikh zuwayid region, Egypt

الملخص EN

This work is an attempt to clarify how much we can maximize the net return of using the limited water resources in agriculture.

This can be achieved by combining the effect of organic additions and optimum water management systems in sandy soils to improve the water use efficiency and water economy of artichoke crop cultivated under desert conditions at El-Sheikh Zuwayid region, North Sinai, Egypt.

The study was conducted in split plot design in four replicates, the main treatment includes: three irrigation intervals using drip irrigation with emitters 4 l/ hour (I1 = one day 2 times, 45 min (6 liter/plant); I2 = two days 3 times, 45 min (9 liter / plant) and I3 = three days 4 times, 45 min (12 liter / plant)) and sub main treatment include three levels of organic manure addition (OM1=19, OM2 = 24 and OM3 = 28 m3 / fed and equal 7.88, 6.30 and 9.45 ton / fed respectively).

The results were analyzed statistically.

From the experiment, the following results were obtained.

A highly significant increase in artichoke yield, water consumptive use, and water use efficiency, water economy, crop coefficient and environmental stress coefficient by increasing organic manure level and increasing irrigation amount.

Also, highly significant relations were obtained between irrigation intervals and levels of organic manure fertilization and their interactions.

So, the highest value of artichoke yield, water consumptive use, water use efficiency, water economy, crop coefficient and environmental stress coefficient was obtained by applying irrigation water 2 times daily, 45 min (6 liter / plant) and by adding 9.45 ton / fed an organic manure (OM3 = 28 m3 /f ed.).

While the lowest values were obtained by applying irrigation water at interval I3 = three days 4 times, 45 min (12 liter / plant) and by additional of organic manure OM1=19 m3 / fed.

The high response of artichoke to water irrigation considers a special case within the experimental boundaries.