Productivity and Irrigation Water Use Efficiency of Capsicum annuum Under Regulated Water Deficit Conditions

Objective: This study aims to monitor the impact of disturbed irrigation regimes on irrigation efficiency in red pepper. Method: Observations were conducted in the period 2021-2023, in five variants: V1 – optimal irrigation with 100% m, V2 - irrigation with 75% m, V3 - irrigation with 50%m, V4 –50% m, by irrigation through row with 100% m; V5 –25% m, by irrigation through row with 50% m. The pre-irrigation humidity for optimal irrigation is 80% FC for 0 - 40 cm layer. Results and Discussion: The irrigation rate witch optimal variant is an average of 30.7 mm, and the total irrigation rate is 711.4 mm. An average yield of 5.7 t/da realized and the irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) of 8.0 kg/da/m3. The variant irrigated with 75% of the norm provides high yields (4.9t/da) and IWUE is 9.1 kg/da/m3. When realizing 50% of the irrigation water, the yield is on average 4.2 t/da or 58-81% of the maximum. The application of 25% m significantly reduced the yield, being only 16.5% of the maximum during dry years. Research Implications: The results obtained are applicable in the field of agriculture and provide practical advice in growing agricultural crops. Optimal irrigation is recommended when water resources are unlimited. In areas with moderate water deficit, reduction in irrigation rate application a 25% not significantly change the yield. In case of greater shortage of irrigation water, by irrigation through row with 100% m, is saving 50% of irrigation water. Originality/Value: Recommendations for farmers for implementing a reduced irrigation regime in extreme climatic conditions.