Hayrettin Kuşçu

Influence of rootstocks on yield and fruit characteristics and quality of watermelon

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of grafting and kinds of rootstocks on yield that are economically feasible for the watermelon producer. Fruit characteristics and quality attributes of grafted plants in open field conditions were also analyzed. The tongue approach grafting method was adopted. Three Watermelon cultivars of ‘Crimson Tide’, ‘Dumara’, and ‘Farao’ were used as the scion. Three hybrid squashes of ‘Dynamo’, ‘RS-841’, and ‘Shintosa’ were used as rootstocks. Results showed that some fruit quality indicators such as dry matter, total soluble solids, total sugar and titratable acid contents were lower in grafted plants while lycopene contents remained unchanged. The pH was slightly altered by grafting. Use of rootstock did not show advantages at comparable fruit quality indicators. Results also showed that fruit shape index, rind thickness, fruit weight, total yield and marketable yield were significantly influenced by grafting. Use of rootstocks significantly increased previously mentioned values which is related with yield, as compared to the non-grafted plant. Analyses proved the use of rootstocks as economically feasible and an advantageous alternative in watermelon production.

Optimizing levels of water and nitrogen applied through drip irrigation for yield, quality, and water productivity of processing tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

The main goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of different levels of irrigation water and nitrogen on yield, quality, and water productivity of processing tomato grown in clay-loam soil. Three water levels of pan evaporation (Epan) replenishment applied via drip irrigation (1.00 × Epan, 0.75 × Epan, and 0.50 × Epan) and four N application rates with fertigation (0, 60, 120, and 180 kg N·ha−1) were tested in the sub-humid climate conditions of Turkey during the 2010 and 2011 growing seasons. The highest marketable yields were observed with full irrigation (1.00 × Epan) for each season. Decreasing irrigation rate generally improved dry matter, total soluble solids, total sugars, titratable acidity, lycopene and total carotene, and decreased fruit NO3-N content and fruit total protein content slightly. The highest water productivity was obtained with a moderate soil water deficit (0.75 × Epan). The 180 kg N·ha−1 fertilization rate produced the highest values for marketable yield, fruit size, total soluble solids yield, NO3-N, and total protein content. Increasing N rate also increased the values of fruit total sugars and titratable acidity. Increasing both irrigation and N levels increased the NO3-N and protein contents. The higher lycopene and total carotene values were obtained in the treatments of 60 and 120 kg N·ha−1. Increasing N supply improved the water productivity with the 3 irrigation application ratios. Considering the quantity and quality for the processing and water productivity, the 0.75 × Epan irrigation regime and a 120 or 180 kg·ha−1 nitrogen supply can considered optimal.

Yield and economic return of drip-irrigated vegetable production in Turkey

Abstract Field experiments were conducted for 2 years (2004 and 2005) on sandy loam soil in south Marmara region of Turkey to study the effect of five levels of pan evaporation replenishment (20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%) on marketable yield, irrigation water productivity (IWP), and economic return of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), pepper (Capsicum annuum), green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), and eggplant (Solanum melongena) under a drip irrigation method. The highest mean marketable yield (2 years) of tomato (87.5 t ha−1), pepper (59.2 t ha−1), green bean (7.6 t ha−1), and eggplant (46.5 t ha−1) was recorded at 100%, 100%, 80%, 100%, and 80% of pan evaporation replenishment, respectively. The IWP of tomato (23.6 kg m−3), pepper (16.5 kg m−3), green bean (2.6 kg m−3), and eggplant (13.6 kg m−3) was the maximum at 80%, 80%, 40%, and 80% of pan evaporation replenishment, respectively. The results revealed that a further increase in irrigation amount resulting from 100% of pan evaporation replenishment did not increase the marketable yield of crops but reduced the IWP significantly. The net return increased with the increase in pan evaporation replenishment. The results revealed that the pepper is the most profitable crop, followed by tomato, eggplant, and green bean.

Effect of different concentrations of diluted seawater on yield and quality of lettuce

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of irrigating lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Funly) with different concentrations of diluted seawater (0%, 2.5%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%) on the fresh yield, marketable yield and quality (DM, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, total sugar, vitamin C, NO3-N, protein, and total oxalate content). The experiments were conducted in a greenhouse in the autumn of 2012. The fresh yield, marketable yield, and DM of lettuce irrigated with 2.5% and 5% seawater were similar to those of control, but these parameters decreased in response to 10% seawater, and the lowest values were obtained in response to 20% seawater. The 2.5% seawater treatment had no effect on the vitamin C and NO3-N content, but both significantly decreased when lettuce was irrigated with seawater concentrations higher than 2.5%. Total soluble solids, total sugar, and protein content significantly increased in response to low salinity (2.5% and 5%) but decreased in response to increasing seawater stress. The titratable acidity values remained unchanged under the various saline conditions. Irrigation with diluted seawater did not affect the total oxalate content up to a concentration of 5%, but increasing the concentration of seawater above 5% increased oxalate content. The results of this study demonstrated that low concentrations of seawater are suitable for lettuce production and lettuce can be grown successfully using diluted seawater at concentrations of 2.5% and 5%.

Alleviation of deleterious effects of salt stress by applications of supplementary potassium–calcium on spinach

Abstract The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of salinity and the influence of supplemental K+ and Ca2+ on the alleviation of the deleterious effects of salinity stress in spinach plants. Spinach cultivars used were Green Gold, Larissa, Mikado, Ohio and Matador. In addition to four NaCl levels of 50, 100, 150 and 200 mM, the treatments were repeated with 10 mM K and 10 mM Ca at each NaCl level. The results revealed that Na+ and Cl− concentrations were significantly increased and the K+, Ca2+ and NO3 − concentrations were decreased with increasing NaCl concentrations in the growth medium. Being very important to the physiology and biochemistry of plants decreases in K+, Ca2+ and NO3 − reduced both growth and the yield. The additions of K+ and Ca2+ reduced the Na+ and Cl− concentrations in the plant tissues, increased the K+, Ca2+ and NO3 − concentrations, resulting in an improvement in the marketable yield of the spinach plants. Even though the effects of supplemental K+ and Ca2+ were similar in some plants at different salt concentrations, the effect of additional Ca2+ alone was higher overall. Thus, the results of this study confirmed the principal effects of K+ and Ca2+ supplies in reducing the detrimental effects of salinity.

Economics of drip irrigation for apple (Malus domestica) orchards in Turkey

Abstract Agricultural growers need investment and cost guidelines for drip irrigation to evaluate the economics of getting crops into production as quickly as possible and to avoid the impact of drought during the productive life of apple (Malus domestica). The benefits of irrigation may include: better apple quality, earlier crop production, greater yields, efficient nutrient distribution, less plant stress, reduced yield variability, and improved crop quality. This research was conducted to help Turkish apple growers evaluate the financial investment in drip irrigation systems. Net present value (NPV) criterion was used to determine the discounted breakeven investment results from published responses to drip irrigation systems. Growers with typical drip irrigation systems can expect an initial investment of US

The Hydraulic and Economic Performance Analysis of On-Demand Pressurized Irrigation Systems: A Case Study in Turkey

1415 per ha when the orchard blocks are c. 5 ha in size. Analysis of survey findings indicate that net present values were US

The response of processing tomato to deficit irrigation at various phenological stages in a sub-humid environment

2584 for ‘Granny Smith’ and US

An assessment of the irrigation management transfer programme: case study in the Mustafakemalpaşa irrigation scheme in Turkey

909 for ‘Golden Delicious’, respectively, after an initial investment of US

Effect of Irrigation Amounts Applied With Drip Irrigation on Maize Evapotranspiration, Yield, Water Use Efficiency, and Net Return in A Suba"Humid Cli

1415 per ha. On the other hand, the analysis indicates that in present value terms, a grower could spend up to US