Response of nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L. var sativus Boeck.) tuber production to drip irrigation based on volumetric soil water content

Cultivated nutsedge is a common crop in Valencia (Spain). The aim of this research, which was conducted over two consecutive years, was to compare the productive response of the nutsedge crop with drip irrigation and traditional furrow irrigation, calculating the yield and the irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE). The volumetric soil water content was monitored with capacitance probes. Four irrigation strategies were considered: three in drip irrigation [D70, D80 and D90 with refill points at 70, 80 and 90 % of the field capacity, respectively] and one in furrow irrigation (refill point at 60 % field capacity); in the second year, the irrigation management was automated. On average, strategy D90 produced the highest yield and D70 the lowest, while the highest IWUE was obtained with D80 and the lowest with furrow irrigation. Considering the automation of irrigation management, strategy D90 led to the highest yield and to the highest IWUE.