BEAN PRODUCTIVITY UNDER DIFFERENT MATRIC POTENTIAL AND DEPLETION FACTORS OF WATER IN SOIL

Abstract

Irrigated agriculture still suffers with decreases in productivity of crops on account of inefficient irrigation management therefore becomes paramount the use of methodologies and tools that allow the monitoring of water content in the soil. The objective of this study was to evaluate, in greenhouse, two water management methods, based on the matric potential of soil and water depletion factor and its effects on common bean grains (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The treatments were established for five matric potential (- 30, - 40, - 50, - 60 and - 70 kPa) and five levels of depletion (30, 40, 50, 60 and 70% of AD), with four replications designed in randomized blocks. The following variables were analyzed: number of pods per plant (NVP); Pod production per plant (PVP, g); Pod length (COMPV, cm); Number of grains per pod (NGV); Grain mass per pod (PGV, g); mass of 100 grains (P100G, g) and grain production (PG, g plant(-1)). The depletion method got a better result, when it compared with the matric potential, getting the grain yield of 15.36 g plan(-1).