Leaf water potential of papaya subjected to irrigation depths under semi-arid climate1

ABSTRACT Water scarcity and high evapotranspiration rates in the Brazilian Northeast region, especially due to climate change, are major limiting factors to the papaya crop. This study aimed to evaluate the leaf water potential in papaya plants at different dates, times of the day (6:00, 8:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00 and 18:00) and irrigation depths to indicate the crop water deficit. The experiment followed a randomized block design, with four treatments (50, 75, 100 and 125 % of the irrigation depth required to reach the field capacity). The leaf water potential measurements between 12:00 and 14:00 showed the greatest differences among the applied irrigation depths, thus being the most suitable interval for assessing the water status. The water potential of -2.5 MPa can be used as a critical limit for ‘Sunrise Solo’ papaya plants.