Black Pepper Response to Different Irrigations Depths

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of irrigation depths on development, productivity and water use efficiency of black pepper. Theoretical Framework: Irrigation management is a very important technique from an economic and environmental point of view in an irrigated agricultural activity. Proper irrigation management can save water and energy, increase crop productivity and improve product quality. Method: The experiment had five treatments, four replications, with depth irrigation replacement related to the crop evapotranspiration (ETc). The treatments were T1: 25% of ETc; T2: 50%; T3: 75%; T4: 100%; and T5: 125%. In the first year we evaluated: number of leaves per plant (NLP), plants height (PH), stem diameter (SD) and leaf temperature (LT). In the second year the number of bunches per plant (NBP) and the productivity of fresh grains (PFG) and dry grains (PDG). Results and conclusion: The best results were, respectively, 52.5 (NLP); 173.1 cm (PH) and 13.5 mm (SD), with 100% of ETc. The lowest values of leaf temperature were in the 100% treatment. The best results for NBP and PDG were found in 75% and 100% depths, respectively. The total evapotranspiration that promoted the highest PDG was 563.2 mm, with a yield of 875.2 kg ha-1 and 0.155 kg m-3 of water use efficiency. Implications of research: Producing satisfactorily with water use efficiency is essential for the sustainability of irrigated agriculture. Originality/value: Studies that evaluate the efficiency of water use and its relationship with crop yield are in evidence and need to be encouraged.