Effects Deficit Irrigation and Mulching on Yield and Water Productivity of Furrow Irrigated Onion (Allium Cepa L.) Under Haramaya Condition, Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

In the background of improving Water Productivity, there is concern in deficit irrigation, which delivers a means of decreasing water depletion while reducing opposing effects on yield. A field experiment was conducted at Haramaya, Ethiopia during 2020 off-season. The objective was determining effects of irrigation levels and mulch types on yield and Water Productivity of Onion. The experimental design was a split plot in RCBD with three replications. The deficit irrigation levels 100%, 85%, 70% and 55% ETc used with the three mulch types no mulch, straw and white plastic mulch were used. The results revealed that the maximum yield of 38.43 ton ha-1 was recorded from 100% ETc with plastic mulch; whereas the minimum yield of 16.36 ton ha-1 was recorded from 55% ETc with no mulch. Higher Crop Water Productivity of about 9.04 kg ha-1mm-1 was obtained from 85% ETc with plastic mulch. With 85% ETc and plastic mulch the water saved, yield reduction and Crop Water Productivity were 113.13 mm, 9.57% and 9.04 kg ha-1 mm-1 respectively. In view of water saved and maximum yield, irrigation water application at 85% irrigation application levels and plastic mulch could be concerned. The current study recommends that, in water limited area, farming community can accept deficit irrigation level with 85% ETc under plastic mulch.