EFFICIENCY OF DRIP IRRIGATION AND MICROSP RAYING IN IRRIGATION OF SUMMER CAULIFLOWER AND SPRING LETTUCE

The effect of drip irrigation and microspraying at different regime of pre-irrigation moisture on the yields of spring lettuce and summer ca uliflower has been evaluated in experiments. The date of irrigation wa s derived from the pattern of suction pressure of soil water measured by sensors Watermark (USA). Indication of irrigation requirement was d etermined for pressure 7 cb (luxury irrigation regime) and 14 cb (basi c saving irrigation regime). The effect of irrigations on the crop yie lds was not statistically unambiguous. In application of irrigation re gime with lower frequency of small water rates (at 14 cb suction press ure), greater yield efficiency was confirmed as statistically highly s ignificant (1 kg of production per 1 m(3) of supplied irrigation water ) than in irrigation with great pre-irrigation moisture. Drip irrigati on eliminates the possibility of contamination of above-ground parts o f crops with water in regions where from hygienic reason fresh-consume d vegetables cannot be spray irrigated. Implementation of measuring se nsors Watermark will enable objective decision made on supply of produ ction efficient irrigation water according to the momentary condition in the moisture regime of soils.