Coeficiente de cultivo, necessidade hídrica e adubação nitrogenada na cultura da pimenta

Abstract

Three experiments were carried out at the Universidade Federal do Ceará – UFC, Pentecoste- CE county, during the period of September 2003 to January 2004, in order to estimate (a) the evapotranspiration (ETC) and crop coefficient (Kc) and (b) the effect different irrigation water layers and also to evaluate the effect of different amounts of nitrogen applied on hot pepper cv. Tabasco McIlhenny yield. Experiment I: it was utilized three drainage lysimeter in order to estimate the crop evapotranspiration. The reference evapotranspiration (ETo) was estimated by using the Penman-Monteith (FAO) method. The crop coefficient, during all vegetative growth period, was obtained by using the relationship Kc = ETC/ETo. The Kc values increased during all vegetative growth period in order of 0.96, 1.29, 1.24; the Kc values decreased at the end of the period. Experiment II: it was utilized a complete block design with three replication. Different irrigation water layers, which were based on daily evaporation, as measured by the Class “A” pan (120; 100; 80; 60 e 40%), were assigned to the plots. Fruits average weight and yield increased with the water layers applied. The water layers did not affect the fresh shoot matter weight, neither the number of fruits per plant and neither the water use efficiency. The highest yield (18.9 t.ha-1) was obtained with the 120% water layer. Experiment III: It was utilized a complete block design with three replication. Different rates of nitrogen (0; 75; 150; 225; 300; 375 and 450 kg.ha-1) were applied to the plots. The evaluation was made based on the fresh shoot matter weight, the number of fruits per plant, the fruits average weight and the yield. All characteristics evaluated increased with all rates of nitrogen applied, except for the fruits average weight. The highest yield (16,5 t.ha- 1) was obtained at the N rate of 450 kg.ha-1.