Watermelon yield in both mulched and unmulched fields: The impact of drip irrigation on watermelon production
Kurbonalijon Zokirov, Suluv Sullieva, Dadaxon Abdullayev, Xidoyatxon Abdinazarova, Feruza Tojiyeva, Alliyar Naurizbaev, Farrux Qodirov
Abstract
Four irrigation regimes were established, varying the amount of irrigation water applied: 60%, 65%, 70%, and 75% of the soil moisture. The fields were left without mulch or covered with white and black polyethylene films. Prior to irrigation, the soil moisture in this case ranged from 60% to 75% in the 0-20 cm soil layer during the “sowing -shatrik” phase and in the 0-40 cm soil layer during the “shatrik -bloom” period, according to the experimental alternatives. During the time of “bloom fruit formation,” the soil layer from 0 to 50 cm was maintained at levels of 70%, 75%, 80%, and 85%. Similarly, during the “fruit formation ripening” period, the soil layer from 0 to 50 cm was maintained at levels of 60%, 65%, 70%, and 75%. One of the study options was the use of drip irrigation, which maintained soil moisture levels at 70%, 80%, or 70% depending on the phenophases of the watermelon plant. This approach led to a significant increase in both the production and quality of the watermelon crop.