a s; p f; f h
Abstract
Drip irrigation is one of the effective ways to conserve water and increase wateruse efficiency (WUE). Despite the many benefits of drip irrigation system, asubstantial amount of irrigation water is wasted through evaporation from the soiland transpiration by weeds growing between the rows. Using mulch ...
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Drip irrigation is one of the effective ways to conserve water and increase wateruse efficiency (WUE). Despite the many benefits of drip irrigation system, asubstantial amount of irrigation water is wasted through evaporation from the soiland transpiration by weeds growing between the rows. Using mulch betweenplanting rows can maintain soil moisture, reduce evaporation from the soil andtranspiration from weeds, reduce irrigation water consumption, and increase cropyield. The purpose of this study was to evaluate irrigation depth and mulchingeffects on potato yield and water use efficiency in Dehgolan plain of KurdistanProvince. For this propose, a field experiment was conducted in the spring seasonof 2014, using a split plot scheme based on randomized complete blocks designwith three replications. The main plots and subplots included the amount ofirrigation water at four levels (60%, 80%, 100%, and 120% of the potato waterrequirement) and three mulch treatments (without mulch, straw mulch, and plasticmulch), respectively. Results showed that the effect of irrigation water and mulchon yield was significant (P<0.01). The maximum and minimum amounts of potatotuber yield were related to 120% and 60% water requirement, respectively. Theresults also showed that the effect of mulch on potato WUE was significant(P<0.01). The highest WUE (14.96 kg.m-3) was related to plastic mulch. It is to benoted that the use of plastic mulch compared to the biodegradable straw mulchwill lead to environmental problems.