Impact of drip and surface irrigation on growth, yield and WUE of capsicum (Capsicum annum L.)

A study was conducted to understand the effect of different irrigation methods and schedules on morphological, biophysical, yield and water use efficiency (WUE) of capsicum (Capsicum annum L.) var. California Wonder. The plants grown under drip irrigation had more number of branches and plant heights compared to that of surface irrigated plants. The total yield was less at lower levels of irrigation. Above ground matter that included stem and leaf dry weight had positive correlation with yield under drip (0.992**) and surface irrigation (0.926**). The carbon dioxide exchange rates varied considerably under different methods of irrigation due to difference in irrigation timings and quantity of water applied. A shift in photosynthetic mechanism was observed in plants under IW/CPE 1.0 treatment. The relationship of WUE and net photosynthesis was also studied. The yield was found to have significant positive correlation with total dry matter (TDM, 0.865**) and net photosynthesis (0.840**). Any factor that could bring in a change in net photosynthesis and TDM may cause variation in yield in capsicum. Root mass was more in surface irrigated crop where as total root length was more in drip irrigated crop. As the quantity of water applied increased the root finesses decreased. Thus drip irrigation at 100% CPE is beneficial for capsicum plant in terms of yield, better plant morphological characters, viz. plant height number of branches, root finesses and root length, etc. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.