Climate change effects on water requirements of Cucurbita pepo L. under bare and mulched soil conditions
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1
Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Horticulture, University of Agriculture in Krakow, 31-120 Krakow, Poland
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Department of Agrometeorology, Plant Irrigation and Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology in Bydgoszcz, 85-029 Bydgoszcz, Poland
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Department of Land Improvement, Environmental Development and Spatial Management, , Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Piątkowska 94, 60-649 Poznań, Poland
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Poland Institute of Technology and Life Sciences—National Research Institute, Falenty, 05-090 Raszyn, Poland
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Department of Bioprocess, Power Engineering and Automation, Faculty of Production and Power Engineering, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Mickiewicza 21, 31-120 Kraków, Poland
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Department of Agronomy, Institute of Plant Production, Hungarian University of Agronomy and Life Sciences, H-7400 Kaposvár, Hungary
Corresponding author
Piotr Stachowski
Department of Land Improvement, Environmental Development and Spatial Management, , Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Piątkowska 94, 60-649 Poznań, Poland
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ABSTRACT
This study evaluates the impact of projected climate change on the water requirements of summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) cultivated under bare and mulched soil conditions in the Kuyavia region (central Poland). The study is based on long-term meteorological observations and climate projections, combined with the FAO Penman–Monteith method and crop coefficient (Kc) approach. Water requirements were estimated based on reference evapotranspiration (ETo) calculated using the FAO Penman–Monteith method for the reference period (1981–2010) and the forecast period (2021–2050). Rainfall deficits were determined using the Ostromęcki method. The results indicate an increase in water requirements during the forecast period for both cultivation systems, amounting to 27.4 mm (8.2%) for bare soil and 23.8 mm (8.7%) for mulched soil over the growing season. The highest increase is expected in August (approximately 16%), identifying this month as the most critical for irrigation. Mulching significantly reduced water requirements by approximately 18–19% compared to bare soil. Rainfall deficits are projected to increase substantially, particularly in July, and may reach up to 310 mm during very dry years for bare soil conditions. The findings highlight the growing importance of irrigation in Central Poland under changing climatic conditions and demonstrate the effectiveness of mulching as a water-saving practice. The results may support irrigation planning and the design of water storage systems for sustainable crop production.