Comparison of Drip and Furrow Irrigation for Muskmelon Production

Abstract Drip and furrow irrigation of muskmelon ( Cucumis melo L. ‘Perlita’) were compared in 1983 in Weslaco, Texas. Drip irrigation at 40% or 20% available soil water depletion (SWD) in the surface 30 cm of soil required 25% and 42%, respectively, of the irrigation water volume required by furrow irrigation at 40% SWD. There was a trend toward earliness and increased total and marketable yields with drip irrigation. Neither fruit size distribution nor cull percentage was affected by irrigation method. In 1984, drip irrigation at 20%, 40%, or 60% SWD showed increased muskmelon yield with increased water application. Drip irrigation regime did not influence earliness, fruit size distribution, or soluble solids content. Highest water use efficiency, 181 kg marketable fruit·ha −1 ·mm −1 total water (irrigation + rainfall), was recorded in the 40% SWD treatment.