Horticultural Studies (HortiS) 2014, Vol 31, Num, 1     (Pages: 61-72)

Principles of drip irrigation management in vegetable production

Ruhi BAŞTUĞ 1

1 Akdeniz Üniversitesi, Ziraat Fakültesi, Tarımsal Yapılar ve Sulama Bölümü, Antalya Viewed : 1607 - Downloaded : 796 Because drip irrigation normally supplies water to a specific part of the soil volume occupied by plant, limited areas to be wetted in soil volume near each emitter or along each lateral line. This is an important context for irrigation system design, operation and management and cultural practices management. Therefore, this characteristic must be taken into consideration for appropriate management of vegetable drip irrigation systems with knowledge requires including of soil hydraulic characteristics, plant growth and water use characteristics and evaporative demand. The irrigation schedule must integrate these features and conform to existing irrigation system and cultural constraits. Additionally, irrigation management program must be coupled with the fertilizer management program to avoid excessive water applications that leach plant nutrients in soil. Keywords : Drip irrigation, Vegetable production, Irrigation scheduling