Pumpkin Water Requirements and Irrigation Systems

How much water pumpkins need

Pumpkins demand high amounts of water (large leaves, high water content on the fruits, etc.) to produce high-quality fruits. Pumpkins need on average 2 to 4 megalitres (ML) of water per hectare during the growing period.

To facilitate seed germination, pumpkin farmers water daily until 1 week after the plants have emerged from the soil. When transplants are used, one irrigation right after planting and later in 1-week intervals is necessary. The critical periods when the plants need ample water are the flowering, fruit set, and during fruit fill. If plants face water stress during this period, there is an increased risk for them to drop their flowers and stop fruit set. As the fruits reach maturity, producers reduce the irrigation to prevent causing watery flesh in pumpkins. Usually, pumpkins need 25 to 40 mm or 1-1.6 inches of water per week during warm periods at least once a week, especially during critical periods. Rainfalls, irrigation, or both can cover these needs. Regardless of the irrigation system use, it is essential to soak the soil to a depth of 15-20 cm (6-8 in) every time you irrigate. Due to the relatively deep pumpkin root system, 80% of the water is absorbed from the top 30 cm of soil.

To improve irrigation efficiency, some farmers use tensiometers. These devices should be placed 200-450 mm deep into the ground. A signal for irrigation is when the tensiometer closer to the surface reads 30-40 kPa. It is vital to remember that pumpkin plants are sensitive to salinity. For this reason, avoid using irrigation water with conductivity higher than 1 dS/m. Yield losses of up to 30% have been reported when this amount is 2.5 dS/m.

Irrigation systems suitable for pumpkin fields

Pumpkin fields can be watered with furrow, drip, and overhead irrigation. However, each system has its pros and cons. More specifically, furrow irrigation is better to be applied in fields with good drainage and a slight slope. To facilitate drainage and a more uniform water distribution into the field, you can make shallow drains approximately 25 cm (10 in) from the planting hill. On the other hand, drip irrigation is usually combined with plastic mulch covers and permanent bed systems. Finally, while overhead irrigation with sprinklers and traveling irrigators can be used, some problems with foliar disease and reduced pollination efficiency have been reported. As a result, extra care is needed when using this system in pumpkins. Many producers prefer to irrigate their pumpkins early in the morning to minimize the risk of foliage diseases.

References

Read more

15 Interesting Facts about Pumpkins

Pumpkin Nutritional Value and Health Benefits

Growing Pumpkins in Your Backyard

Plant Information and Variety Selection of Pumpkins

Soil Requirements, Soil Preparation and Planting of Pumpkin

Growing Pumpkins Outdoors for Profit – Complete Growing Guide from Start to Finish

Pumpkin Yield, Harvest and Storage

Common Pumpkin Pests, Diseases, and Weed control

Pumpkin Fertilizer Requirements

Pumpkin Water Requirements and Irrigation Systems

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