Enhancing eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) yield and water use efficiency through optimized irrigation and nitrogen practices in open field conditions
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: This study evaluated the interactive effects of deficit irrigation and nitrogen application on eggplant growth and yield under water scarcity in Northern Qatar (2022–2023). Two irrigation regimes were tested: full irrigation (100 %, I 2 ) and deficit irrigation (50 %, I 1 ), along with three nitrogen levels: 100 kg N ha −1 (F 3 ), 70 kg N ha −1 (F 2 ), and 50 kg N ha −1 (F 1 ). The six treatment combinations (I 1,2 + F 1,2,3. ) were analyzed for vegetative growth, yield components, and overall yield. Deficit irrigation (I 1 ) increased eggplant fruit yield by 17.86 % compared to full irrigation (I 2 ) and improved shoot height, stem diameter, and SPAD index. Nitrogen application also significantly influenced vegetative growth, with the best results seen at 50 kg N ha −1 . While average fruit weight did not differ significantly across nitrogen levels, the highest fruit yield was recorded under F 1 and F 2 treatments. Water use efficiency (WUE) was highest under deficit irrigation (I 1 ) at the 70 kg N ha −1 level (I 1 + F 2 ), reaching 0.41 kg ha −1 mm −1 . The lowest WUE of 0.23 kg ha −1 mm −1 was observed in I 2 + F 2 , which also had the lowest fruit yield (24.43 t ha −1 ). Applying 70 kg N ha −1 during deficit irrigation (I 1 + F 2 ) produced the highest fruit yield compared to other treatments, although no significant difference was found with I 1 + F 1 . The study highlights the importance of optimized nitrogen and irrigation management for maximizing eggplant production in water-limited environments. • Deficit drip irrigation enhances water use without yield losses. • Excessive irrigation decreases eggplant yield. • 50 % irrigation optimizes eggplant yield. • Evaluated techniques for water-saving in arid eggplant production.
Institutions: Qatar University, Western Sydney University
Language: English
Subfield: Soil Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,890
OpenAlex ID: W4404454352