Assessment of growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) under surface and subsurface drip irrigation using treated waste water

Abstract

Purpose Due to increasing water demand in worldwide, treated wastewater (TWW) will become an important component in agriculture, particularly in countries facing the water scarcity. Using judiciously the already existing water resources in agriculture production can be proved by using efficient irrigation method. MethodsThis study investigates the impact of two irrigation water quality including; treated wastewater (TWW) and tap water (FW) with two modes of drip irrigation; subsurface at different depth (5, 15 and 25 cm depth) and surface drip irrigation on yield production and growth parameters of okra during the 2017 and 2018 growing seasons. Okra was chosen for its economical and nutritional values. Results Results revealed that the maximum agronomic performance of okra was recorded with TWW by comparing it with FW. SDI also offers more reliable growth and yield data than surface irrigation. TWW influenced positively the growth parameters and yield attitudes of okra. Plant height was maximum in WSDI25 treatment with 257 cm and 214 cm, in 2017 and 2018, respectively followed by WSDI15 and WSDI5 then WSDI0. The same order was observed for the different treatments in the plot by irrigated by FW. Fruit number per plant was observed to be maximum in WSDI5 (55.8) and WSDI15 (54.8), and minimum in FSDI0 (33.8) and FSDI5 (33.7). Okra yield was maximum in WSDI5 treatment (4.59 t/ha) and minimum in FSDI0 treatment (2.2 t/ha) in 2017. Conclusion The results of this study showed that application of TWW under (5 -15) cm depth of drip line is recommended for higher productivity of okra.