4. Conclusion
In this study, results demonstrate that the effects of the irrigation
level and irrigation interval are important to produce the
high yield of pumpkin seeds. The irrigation interval and the irrigation
level significantly affected the seed yield of pumpkin at
P < 0.01 level in both years. Irrigation with the 7-day interval had
higher seed yield than irrigation at 14 and 21-day intervals. However,
the differences between 7 and 14 days of irrigation intervals
were not significant in 2013. Hence, the irrigation interval could be
extended to 14 days without a significant decrease in the seed yield.
The amount of irrigation water applied had a significant effect on
the seed yield. The highest seed yield (1071 kg ha−1) was obtained
with I100 treatments, followed by I75 treatments in both 2013 and
2014. Moreover, there was no statistically significant difference
between these treatments in 2013. The lowest average seed yield
(396 kg ha−1) was obtained with I0 (no irrigation) treatments. Irrigation
interval×irrigation level interaction significantly affected
the yield components based on the irrigation applications in 2013.
The highest seed yield was obtained with S7I100 treatment that had
the highest plant water consumption and frequent irrigation (7-day
interval) with the highest amount of water. The higher amount of
irrigation water and plant water consumption positively affected
the seed yield, the number of fruits per plant, seed yield per fruit,
mean fruit weight, and 1000-seed weight. However, there was no
significant difference among S7I100, S7I75, and S14I100 treatments
with respect to yield components. The yield response factor (ky)
was 1.08. This value could be a good basis for the development
of the irrigation strategy in semi-arid regions where the supply of
irrigation water is limited. In conclusion, full irrigation (I100) with a
7-day irrigation interval is recommended for pumpkin to get higher
pumpkin seed yield. However, in areas, such as the Konya region
where water is scarce, either 25% water deficit (7-day interval) or
full irrigation (14-day interval) can be suggested for pumpkin seed
production in terms of water sawing.
So far, in many countries, effects of irrigation regimes on water
use pattern have been investigated for various crops, but confectionary
pumpkin could not get sufficient attention. Regarding
confectionary pumpkin, information, about ETa and ky is rare as