Improvement Water Productivity of Eggplant Under Subsurface Water Retention Technology

A study of the evaluation of the water productivity (WP) of eggplant under subsurface water retention technology (SWRT) through membrane sheet installed under the root zone has been conducted in sandy loam soil located in Al-Fahamah Township, Baghdad, during two growing seasons (from January 10th to May 31st, 2017 in a greenhouse and from April 9th to July 10th, 2017 in open field). For this purpose, two treatments plot with membrane sheet and without using membrane sheet were applied for each growing season to determine and compare the effect of water saving membrane on productivity of eggplant. Results showed apparent differences among the water productivities of eggplant in the greenhouse and open field. The WP values of eggplant inside greenhouse for SWRT treatment and control plot were 5640 ID/m3 and 3700 ID/m3, respectively and in open field were 2220 ID/m3 and 1570 ID/m3, respectively. The WP of eggplant for SWRT treatment was more than the control plot inside the greenhouse and in open field by 52 % and 40 %, respectively. The installation of membrane sheet below the soil surface was improved the value of water productivity of eggplant and more saving in applied of irrigation water.