Water productivity and water use efficiency of sunflower under conventional and limited irrigation

Abstract

This study was carried out to understand the effects of conventional irrigation (CI), regulated deficit irrigation (RDI 70 and RDI 50 ) and partial root zone drying (PRD 70 and PRD 50 ) treatments on water productivity and water use efficiency of sunflower in the Ahwaz Plain, Iran. Irrigation water productivity for seed yield (WP(Ir)Y) and water use efficiency for seed yield (WUE(Y)) were not significantly affected by conventional and limited irrigation treatments. In this study, the highest (WP(Ir) Y) was obtained by limited irrigation treatments (RDI 50 , PRD 50 and RDI 70 treatments, with mean 11.62, 11.37 and 11.12 kg mm -1 , respectively.), whereas the lowest (WP(Ir)Y) was obtained from the CI treatment (10.74 kg mm -1 ). The maximum WUE(Y) was related to RDI 50 , PRD 50 and RDI 70 treatments, averaged 13.88, 13.59 and 13.29 kg mm -1 , respectively. The minimum one was also associated with CI treatment. averaged 12.48 kg mm -1 . It is concluded that the CI treatment is the best choice for maximum yield under the local conditions, but this irrigation scheme must be re-considered in areas where water resources are more limited.