| Deficiency in available water is an increasing problem in New Mexico. Nearly 85% of water used in this state is spent in agricultural activities. Although chile (Capsicum annuum L.) is one of the most important vegetable crops grown in New Mexico, few studies have been conducted to determine the effect of the irrigation method on water use efficiency, plant growth, fruit quality, and yield. A field study was conducted in 1996 and 1997 to determine the effect of four irrigation methods combined with two irrigation frequencies on the above variables. Drip, every furrow, alternate furrow, and alternating-alternate furrow irrigation methods were evaluated at high and low application frequencies. The irrigation frequencies resulted from the application of the irrigation at two moisture levels. The irrigation amount was calculated using Penman's equation and a crop coefficient factor (Kc). The effect of the treatments on green and red chile pod yield, total pod dry weight, pod quality, plant growth, pod development, root development, water use efficiency (WUE) for yield and total pod dry weight, plant water potential, leaf transpiration, and stomatal resistance was evaluated. Drip irrigation was the best irrigation method as it produced the highest levels in yield (green and red), total pod dry weight, WUE for green yield, pod length, plant height, stem diameter, leaf area per plant, leaf area index, and plant water potential. In general, pod quality, pod maturity earliness, fruit development, and root dry weight, leaf transpiration, and stomatal resistance were not affected by the irrigation method. The alternate irrigation methods produced similar results to that of the traditional every furrow irrigation, but used approximately 13.5% less water. Excepting red pod yield and total pod dry weight with two green harvests and foliage index, the level of the variable increased with the water amount (WA) received by the crop. Statistical significant differences between the two irrigation frequencies evaluated within the two types of irrigation method (drip and furrow) occurred in only three of 22 variables evaluated (stem diameter, leaf transpiration, and stomatal resistance). |
