Partial Wetting of Root Zone to Enhance Furrow Irrigation Indices, Yield Responses and Economic Return Of Soybean الترطيب الجزئى لمنطقة الجذور لتحسين مؤشرات الرى بالخطوط واستجابة المحصول والعائد الاقتصادي لفول الصويا

Abstract

This study was carried out in a private farm located in Gharbiya Governorate, the Nile Delta, Egypt. The study aimed to assess how far the alternative furrow application and deficit irrigation may improve irrigation indices and water productivity of Soybean. Two techniques of alternation were applied. The first is Standing Alternate furrow Irrigation (SAI), the second is Reciprocal Alternate furrow Irrigation (RAI). The two techniques were compared with Conventional furrow Irrigation (CI), at which, all furrows are conventionally irrigated per each irrigation (Control). Results revealed that irrigation requirements under both of (SAI) and (RAI) techniques s are significantly less than that with (CI). Surface runoff increased as the level of application increased. The significant difference was found only between (RAI) with the level of 50 % Etc. and the treatment of (CI) with the level of 100% Etc. The highest value of (Ea) was achieved with (RAI) and 75% ETc irrigation level while the lowest value was found with (CI) and 100% ETc irrigation level. The lowest values of actual ET were found (RAI) and 50% ETc irrigation level. Also, results indicated that produced yield of soybean varied significantly (P<0.05) and influenced by both irrigation techniques and application levels. Yield of soybean was depressed by about 12% under (SAI) with 50% ETc, compared with the treatment of (CI) and 100% ETc. It could be concluded that, the (RAI) and 75% ETc irrigation level is efficient management for soybean production without the risk of reduced grain yield under the experiment conditions.