Investigation of the efficiency of wicks irrigation system for greenhouse crops

A. Objective This study was conducted to investigate the efficiency of wick irrigation system for greenhouse crops as a factorial experiment in a completely randomized basic design with two factors wick type and planting medium in four levels and three replications in the research greenhouse of Shahrekord University. B. Methods For this purpose, the traits of total fresh and dry weight of shoot, average stem diameter, root dry weight, pH, soluble solids, RWC, vitamin C, fruit dry weight, fruit yield and water use efficiency were measured. C. Results The analysis of variance results indicated significant main effects and interaction effects of wick type and planting medium on various plant growth and yield indices. Water consumption was found to be significant at 5% and 1% confidence levels. However, the main effect of wick type on relative water content and substrate type on pH, as well as the interaction effect on several parameters, were not significant. The most favorable outcomes were observed with a specific substrate and wick type combination. D. Conclusion Therefore, the use of woven wire and wicks in the soil + cocopeat + fertilizer + perlite substrate increases plant water consumption as well as quantitative and qualitative characteristics of bell pepper.