VEGETABLE PRODUCTION ON VARIOUS BED WIDTHS USING DRIP IRRIGATION

Field studies were conducted over two seasons to evaluate the effect of production bed width on yield and quality of nine vegetable cultivars used with drip irrigation and fertigation. Bed widths of 41, 61, and 81 cm (16, 24, and 32 in.) were arranged in a 12 plot randomized block design experiment on an EauGallie fine sand at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Bradenton, Florida. Cucumber (Cucumus sativus, L.), eggplant (Solanum melongena, L.), muskmelon (Cucumus melo, L.), pepper (Capsicum annuum, L.), summer squash (Cucurbita pepo, L.), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum, Mill.), cherry tomato [Lycopersicon esculentum var. cerasiforme (Dunal) Alef.], watermelon and icebox watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum, and Nakai] were grown on black polyethylene mulched beds during the 1989 and 1990 spring seasons. Only summer squash yields from 1989 increased linearly with bed width. No differences were detected in yield or average fruit weight of all other vegetables from both seasons nor in soluble solids content of melon fruit. These studies indicated that yield and quality of drip-irrigated vegetables would not be compromised by reduced bed widths on sandy soil production systems.