| Sumario: | This study aimed at assessing the effect of hydrogel on irrigation water use efficiency
and yield of Capsicum annuum crops. It was used the hybrid pepper variety El Salvador
as the experimental material, with row widths of 1.0 m and a 0.5 m separation between
plants. It was evaluated five pre-hydrated gel doses: 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 g/plant.
Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design. The variables under
study were: water consumption, irrigation frequency and water use efficiency, plant
height, fruit characteristics, and yield. Results showed that hydrogel, at doses ranging
from 2 to 2.5 g/plant, reduced the depth of application from 388.6 mm to 197.6 and
196 mm, respectively. Water efficiency was correlated with hydrogel use producing up
to 10.1 kg.m-3, whereas the control treatment reached 5.1 kg.m-3. Production variables
did not show statistical significance. The conclusion is that hydrogel worked as a water
retainer releasing water into the Fluvisol soil and making water use more efficient in
pepper crops, without affecting plant development.
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