Produtividade de morango em ambiente protegido sob diferentes estratégias de irrigação

Abstract

Strawberry is a crop sensitive to soil water deficit. Irrigation is therefore an important technique to achieve high yields and fruit quality. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of automatic irrigation control over a manual control on strawberry yield in a protected environment. The study was undertook in a rural property in Cachoeira do Sul - RS, Brazil, from June to November, 2019. The analyzed cultivar was Camino Real, which is characterized by having short cycle days, fruits of intense red color, and a relative bigger size in comparison with other cultivars. Irrigation was performed by the drip system, commanded by hydraulic valves, actuated via solenoid valves and a controller, which made decisions according to the mean daily air temperature. Three treatments were used to compare strawberry yield: conventional control used by the farmer, automatic control with 100% and 125% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc). The evaluated parameters were: Fruit productivity, number of fruits and fruit size per plant. Statistical analysis showed significant effect of 125% ETc irrigation on fruit diameter, total weight and average fruit weight. Also, there was an effect of the harvest seasons, with a peak of production about twenty days after the beginning of harvesting. The use of a controller seemed to be adequate, with autonomous management of events, allowing using man power to other activities on the farm.