Effect of soil matric potential and irrigation pipe layout on yield and water use efficiency of cucumber's in greenhouse

Soil moisture measurement and its control essential elements to employ optimal management methods for reducing water consumption and product quality improvement. In order to investigate the effect of soil matric potential and tube layout on yield and water use efficiency of greenhouse cucumber، a field experiment was carried out during 2010 and 2012 growing seasons at an experimental farm in Jiroft territory. The treatments were laid out in strip split plot a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The treatments were comprised of fore soil potential including 45، 55، 65 and 75 c-bar tension in main plot and sub plot consisted of two irrigation systems (surface drip irrigation system (S1)، subsurface drip irrigation system (S2)) and two tape position patterns (conventional (L1) and alternative (L2)). The results showed that in comparison to 45 and 55 c-bar tension، parsimony of water usage equal 700 m3 ha-1 achieved. Moreover yield، LAI، height of plants، length and diameter of fruit decreased 1. 2، 1. 9، 0. 35، 0. 73 and 1. 2 percent respectively but water use efficiency increased 10. 5 percent. On the other hand yield and water use efficiency in subsurface irrigation increased about 6 and 6. 13 percent respectively compared with surface irrigation. Also in conventional pattern yield and water use efficiency increased about 7. 5 and 7. 7 percent respectively compared with alternative pattern. Therefore، the potential point of 55 c-bar tension considered as the optimal starting point for irrigation.