Irrigação com déficit regulado associado ao uso do hidrogel na cultura do pimentão

Abstract

Due to increased water use and water scarcity in several regions of the world, techniques to increase water productivity are necessary, especially in the production of vegetables such as bell peppers, which are one of the world's most important crops and possess high economic value. The objective of this study was to analyze the development and production of bell peppers under regulated water deficit conditions associated with the use of hydrogel. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with four replications, in a split-plot scheme, with five irrigation treatments: (100% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) throughout the cycle (IP); 60% of ETc throughout the crop cycle (DR); 60% of ETc only in the vegetative phase (DCV); 60% of ETc only in the flowering phase (DFL); and 60% of ETc only in the fruiting phase (DFR)) and in the subplots, the polymer hydrogel was used (with and without). The variables analyzed were: growth (plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, dry and fresh mass of leaves and stem), physiological (leaf water potential and gas exchange), thermal (crop water stress indices), production and irrigation water productivity. The hydrogel did not influence the effects of the deficit in the DCV and DFL treatments. However, during the fruiting phase, the hydrogel showed a positive response, reducing the effects of the deficit in the final phase of the crop. Irrigation at 60% of ETc can be used at least at one stage of the pepper growth, without significantly affecting its development and yield. Regular water deficit did not prove to be a good irrigation strategy, as it significantly reduced development, yield, and water use efficiency.