Labor-input requirements for experimental production of drip irrigated vegetables

Abstract

Weekly and operational labor input requirements were evaluated for experimental production of drip irrigated vegetables at the Fortuna Substation, Juana Díaz, Puerto Rico. The total man-hours per ha required in the plastic mulched plots were 1,964.1, 1,644.9, 1,412.7, 1,561, 1,247, 1,382 for peppers, cabbages, watermelons, cucumbers, snap beans (once-over harvest) and snap beans (multiple harvest), respectively. In the nonmulched plots, the man-hours were 1,899.8, 1,460.5, 1,119, 1,386, 1,247, and 1,387, respectively. Labor input for the tomato crop was 3,021.2, 1,891.2, 2,591.1, 1,467.1 in the plastic-staked, non-plastic-staked, plastic-non- staked, non-plastic-non-staked plots, respectively. Pigeon peas (var. Kaki) required 1,334.9 man-hours per ha; 2-B-Bushy variety required 1,368.9. Trickle irrigation installation and dismantling operations needed 4.1 to 16.1% of total labor input; plastic mulch management required 15.3 to 28.4%. Weeding operation amounted to 12.4 to 27.1% of total labor input compared with 28.4 to 62.6% for harvesting and post harvest operation. Use of plastic mulch reduced labor inputs for weeding operation to less than 4%, depending upon crop type and season.