Viability of irrigation by porous capsule method in arid and semi-arid regions

Abstract

This paper presents the results of four field experiments carried out with the objective of evaluating the feasibility of irrigation by porous capsule method, from 1979 to 1983, at Bebedouro Experiment Station, EMBRÀPA-CPATSA, Petrolina, PE, Brazil. The irrigation system consisted of fulcrum of cone shaped porous capsules, interconnected wiht conduit pipe and installed in the sail at equidistance and 0.10 m deep along contour limes. The hydrostatic pressures studied (∆H = 0.35 m to 2.8 m) did not significantly influence the crop yield, but influenced, at 0.10 level, the daily water release from porous unit. The mean yields for watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris Schard), var. Charleston Gray, for muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) var. Valenciano Amarelo, and for maize (Zea mays L.), var. Centralmex, estimated in ton/2,500 units/ha or in cobs/2,500 units/ha, were 28.5, 10 and 17,500, respectively. The water consumption for watermelon, musk melon and maize was, respectively, 60 mm, 60 mm and 100 mm in a deep sandy yellow-red latosol. The cost of the system was US $ 1,677.41/ha.