IRRIGATION REGIMES AFFECT LEAF YIELD AND WATER-USE BY TURNIP AND MUSTARD

Turnip (Brassica rapa L.) and mustard (Brassica juncea L.) were grown in drainage lysimeters under controlled soil water regimes during 2 years. Irrigation regimes consisted of water applications when the soil water tension at a 10-cm depth exceeded 25, 50, or 75 kPa throughout growth of the two crops on two soil types during spring and fall production seasons. Leaf yield and water use were highest when irrigation was applied at 25 kPa soil water tension. Regression equations are presented to describe the relationships of daily pan evaporation and water use to plant age, and to compute daily evapotranspiration: pan evaporation ratios (crop factors) during spring and fall production seasons.