Influence of the soil water retention curve type and magnetic water treatment on lettuce irrigation management responses

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of magnetized water use on lettuce irrigation management responses, and based on the generated data, to evaluate by simulation the influence of soil water retention curve type on the lettuce irrigation management responses. This work was divided into three stages: 1 – determination of field and laboratory soil water retention curves; 2 – lettuce crop irrigation management experiment using soil water retention curve with field data, evaluating different soil water tensions to start irrigation and different water types (magnetically treated water, and non-treated water); and 3 – estimation of the irrigation management responses (simulation) using the soil water retention curve performed in the laboratory (using non-treated water), compared with the experimental results (stage 2). The use of magnetically treated water determined the soil moisture maintenance for a longer time and fewer irrigation events, leading to less water being applied and electricity consumption. The use of the soil water retention curve derived from the field data determined less water and electric energy consumption in Lucy Brown lettuce irrigation, in comparison with the simulated use of the soil water retention curve from laboratory data. HIGHLIGHTS Iceberg lettuce irrigation with magnetically treated water determined lower number of irrigations.; Soil irrigated with magnetized water maintained its moisture for a longer time.; Magnetically treated water irrigation may have hindered the capacity of water uptake by lettuce.;

Keywords

• microirrigation
• optimization
• soil water matric potential
• tensiometry