Responses of hybrid bell pepper in the open field with the use of hydrogel and different water regimes

Abstract

Efficient water management in water scarcity is essential when irrigating cultivated plants, especially in regions of recurrent drought. This study aimed to evaluate the responses to the application of hydrogel doses and the use of different water regimes in terms of the productivity and water efficiency of bell pepper plants grown in the open field. An experiment was conducted with hybrid bell pepper in subdivided plots, with irrigation levels (50, 75, 100, and 125% of ETc) as the plots and hydrogel doses (0.0, 0.6, 1.2, and 2.4 g pl^-1) in the subplots, with four replications. The variables analyzed were fruit yield, water use efficiency, and physiological variables (stomatal conductance and leaf water potential). The doses of hydrogel increased fruit yield and stomatal conductance. The use of hydrogel in bell pepper cultivation ensures stability of physiological variables at 70 days after transplanting, and the dose of 2.4 g pl^-1 of hydrogel provides greater productivity of bell pepper grown in sandy loam soil. Finally, hydrogel favors the productive performance of hybrid bell pepper with a cumulative irrigation of 683.1 mm in the open field.