Productivity and quality of beet (Beta vulgaris L.) under different drip irrigation management methodologies

Water management in irrigated agriculture, aiming for the sustainability of the activity, faces significant challenges in a scenario of water scarcity, associated with high electricity costs for pump operation and irrigation water rights. This study evaluated the effects of different irrigation management techniques on beetroot ( Beta vulgaris L.) productivity and quality in a controlled environment. Climate-based methods (weather station, evaporation pan), soil-based methods (capacitive moisture sensors, tensiometry), and commercial methods were compared, revealing significant variability in applied water (132–408 mm), yield (53–88 tons ha ^− 1 ), and water use efficiency (20.4–45.2 kg m ^− 3 ). Soil-based methods, particularly the SoilWatch sensor, resulted in the highest productivity and quality, while tensiometry demonstrated superior water use efficiency. Climate-based methods showed potential but required precise parameter calibration. The commercial method, while productive, exhibited lower water use efficiency with its default settings. The study underscores the importance of integrating real-time soil moisture monitoring for optimal irrigation management in beetroot cultivation, emphasizing the need to tailor strategies based on specific crop and environmental conditions.