Assessing the performance of different irrigation systems on lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) in the greenhouse

Abstract

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is a very important leafy vegetable in China and is commonly grown using furrow irrigation. In order to improve production efficiency, greenhouse experiments were conducted at Experimental Station, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China using furrow irrigation (FI), micro-sprinkler irrigation (MS), plastic film mulching irrigation (PF) and a combined plastic film mulching–micro-sprinkler irrigation system (PF+MS) to study their effects on soil physical characteristics, water distribution, root morpho-physiological traits, nutrition absorption, lettuce yield and water use efficiency for a spring crop and autumn crop in 2015 (Fig 1). Root length, root surface area, and root density were significantly higher under PF and PF+MS than under FI. Moreover, these traits were higher under MS than under FI but these differences were not significant. The soluble protein, soluble sugar, and Vitamin C content of lettuce decreased in the order PF+MS > PF > MS > FI in both crops. In the spring crop, the biological yield of MS, PF, and PF+MS was 7.22%、36.77%、43.20% higher than FI, respectively. In the spring crop, biological water use efficiency (BWUE) of FI, MS, PF and PF+MS was 20.93, 25.24, 36.81 and 38.54 kg m−3, respectively. The BWUE of MS, PF, and PF+MS was 20.59%, 75.87% and 84.14% higher than FI. Economic water use efficiency (EWUE) of FI, MS, PF and PF+MS was 17.06, 21.31, 31.11 and 32.31 kg m−3, respectively. The EWUE of MS, PF, and PF+MS was 24.91%, 82.36% and 89.39% higher than FI, respectively. The autumn crop achieved a higher WUE than the spring crop. The results suggested that the combined plastic film mulching-micro-sprinkler irrigation was the most suitable irrigation approach for increasing lettuce yield.

Using Plastic Mulching Improves Greenhouse-Grown Pakchoi (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis) Growth and Water Use Efficiency under Irrigation Scheduling Based on Soil Water Content

“…Micro-sprinkling irrigation with similar water supply rates as furrow irrigation improves the growth and yield of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), thereby increasing IWUE [9]. Moreover, the use of plastic mulch has been reported to reduce water consumption and evaporation and increase yield [10][11][12]. However, some water-saving techniques may induce water stress and subsequently change the development of roots.…”

“…On the other hand, water stress induced by water-saving techniques affects the quality of vegetables (such as soluble solids and vitamin C), particularly fruity vegetables [15,16], due to the osmotic potential regulation or stimulation of antioxidant activity. Moreover, the use of plastic mulch, particularly combined with drip irrigation, improves the micro-environment and nutrient uptake, and consequently vegetable quality [10,17].…”

Effects of Irrigation Techniques on Yield, Quality and Water Use Efficiency of Greenhouse Grown Celery (Apium graveolens L.)

“…In addition, plastic lm mulching can reduces soil moisture evaporation, improving WUE. Previous research has indicated that the combined plastic lm mulching-micro-sprinkler irrigation was the most suitable irrigation approach for increasing lettuce yield and it had best WUE [15] .…”

“…The irrigation water given each time was assumed to increase the soil moisture to 80% of eld capacity. Thus, the irrigation amount for each time was 15.21 m 3 667 m − 2 in AC and 16.87 m 3 667 m − 2 in SC, calculated with the following formula [15] :…”

“…With such bene ts, plastic lm mulching promotes the growth of wheat and maize, resulting in improved crop yield and water use e ciency [13,14] . Sub-lm micro-spraying, where the micro-spraying is implemented under plastic lm mulching, increases water use e ciency in lettuce compared to traditional irrigation method like furrow irrigation [15] . Meanwhile, plastic lm mulching can further reduce the soil water evaporation directly in the vertical direction [16] .…”