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Irrigation scheduling in broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. cv. italica) in the Ecuadorian Andes

Abstract:

Broccoli culture needs high amounts of irrigation water to achieve optimum yields, however, given the growing scarcity of water resources, it is necessary to design more efficient irrigation strategies to be applied. The objective of the study was to evaluate the response of two broccoli hybrids, Avenger (AV) and Domador (DOM), and three irrigation doses, 50% replenishment of an evaporation class A pan (R50), 100% replenishment (R100) and 150% replenishment (R150). These trials were carried out in two periods: from February to May and from July to October 2016. The experiments were carried out in a factorial design with four blocks and six treatments. The optimum irrigation time was determined using a FDR probe. During the first trial, there were no differences in yield between the different irrigation treatments, due to the high rainfall and low evapotranspiration, but differences in yield were found between the hybrids Domador (23.6 t ha−1) and Avenger (21.5 t ha−1). In the second trial, the yield was higher in R150 (40.5 t ha−1) than in R100 (28.2 t ha−1) and in R50 (31.0 t ha−1). In driest season, water requirements may be underestimated to supply the real necessities of the crop. Comparing both trials, the yield was higher and the leaf area smaller in the second trial, suggesting that the best time for broccoli cultivation in the Ecuadorian Andes is that time of lower rainfall and higher evaporation.