Effects of different mulch materials and irrigation methods on soil salinization and yield of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) under saline water treatment

It is becoming more and more difficult to provide sufficient amount and quality irrigation water in agricultural areas, especially in arid and semi-arid climatic conditions. Due to limited clean water resources, the use of low quality water in agriculture has become mandatory. In this study; It was aimed to determine the effects of different mulch materials and irrigation methods on yield, some plant nutrient contents and soil salinity of pepper plant (Capsicum annuum L.) irrigated with low quality water in field conditions in Ankara region. The research was set up in randomized blocks through with the split plot design with 3 replications. The main treatments were S1: subsurface drip irrigation and S2: surface drip irrigation systems. Sub-trial treatments were; M0: no mulch, M1: mulch textile, M2: wheat straw mulch and M3: pumice mulch. According to the results obtained; In terms of plant water consumption and related soil salinity, it has been determined that the S2 treatments has higher values than the S1 treatments. In terms of mulch treatments, the highest plant water consumption and soil salinity values were determined in M0, M1, M3, and M2 treatments, respectively. While the lowest average WUE and IWUE values were determined for S2M0, the highest WUE and IWUE values were determined for S1M2. Fort he fruit yield results; the highest yield (4300 kg da-1) was obtained for S1M2, and the lowest yield (2659 kg da-1) was determined for S2M0. While the highest (65.05%) waterstable aggregate percentage in the soil was determined for S1M2, the lowest (53.49%) was determined for S2M0. Applications were found to be important in terms of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn and Mn contents in the leaves. Considering the soil salinity and yield values under saline water conditions, combined application of subsurface drip irrigation and straw mulch has been found more succesful than other treatments.