Alternate Furrow Irrigation Research Articles

Integrated effects of furrow irrigation systems and irrigation regimes on water productivity of onion (Allium Cepa L.) crop in a semi-arid area

Dwindling water resources with inept field water management impends sustainable agricultural production in semi-arid areas of Ethiopia. Thus, the adaption and adoption of improved irrigation water running lines are indispensable and imperative to recuperate water productivity in areas where water resources are inadequate. The ground experiments were pointed to elucidate the weight of conventional, alternate, and fixed furrow irrigation systems under irrigation levels of 100%, 70%, and 40% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) on onion growth, yield, water productivity, and economic return in Alage, Central, Ethiopia. The field trials were conducted at nine treatments arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications and water was managed at fixed intervals with variable depth approach. The result illustrated that furrow systems in conjunction with irrigation levels had a weighty pertain (P < 0.05) on onion growth, yield, water productivity, and economic return. The highest yield of 30.75 ton ha-1 was achieved at conventional furrow irrigation with 100%ETc dictated to zero water saving subsequently, the crop and irrigation water productivity dropped with the values of 6.86 and 5.61 kg m-3 respectively. The diminished yield of 6.39 ton ha-1 obtained at fixed furrow irrigation with 40%ETc conquered the saved water output lastly, the crop and irrigation water productivities demoted with values of 6.87 and 5.70 kg m-3 respectively. Nevertheless, 24.93ton ha-1 of ideal yield was obtained under alternative furrow irrigation with 100%ETc and the 50% hoarded water was higher than the yield decline. Consequently, the crop and irrigation water productivities rose with values of 10.96 and 9.09 kg m-3 respectively. Eventually, the saved water opened for 0.03ha extra irrigable area that will onward to the highest total expected yield of 37.40 ton ha-1 as compared with all other treatments. Under conventional furrow irrigation with 100%ETc, the obtained yield dominated the wastewater accordingly, the highest net return of 668484ETB ha-1 and benefit-cost ratio of 3.63 was achieved. Besides, the unbearable yield penalty under fixed furrow with 40% headed to negative net return and lowest befit cost ratio as related with other treatments. However, further economic results confirmed that the 50% saved water under alternative furrow with 100% can recompense for the net return reduction that will make this trial combination preferable as compared with other treatments. Other results also recommended that, under water-limiting and inefficient field water governing conditions, alternative furrow irrigation with 100%ETc can be the ideal blend to enhance water productivity in semi-arid regions of Ethiopia and elsewhere that share similar agroclimatic conditions.

The Effects of Every Other Furrow Irrigation Systems on Water Use Efficiency and Yield of Onion at Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Center

Alternate furrow irrigation was believed to improve water use efficiency and labor without a significant tradeoff in yield. It leads to see the effect of alternate furrow irrigation versus every furrow and fixed furrow were evaluated at full crop water requirement. With the objective of to evaluate effect of alternate furrow irrigation with two irrigation intervals (5day and 3day intervals) on crop yield water productivity that might enable to save irrigation water and labor. The experiment has been under taken among AFI, FFI and CFI at Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Center of experimental site for onion production. A field experiment was designed as a two factor factorial experiment (3*2) in RCBD, replicated three times. The two factors were irrigation systems and irrigation interval. Irrigation was applied to furrows using Parshal flume from furrows head ditch with similar inflow rate. Results obtained revealed that alternate furrow irrigation method produced total yield of 25203kg/ha which was not significantly different with that obtained under every furrow irrigation (26469kg/ha). Total yield harvested from fixed furrow irrigation were 24024kg/ha, which showed insignificant difference between the three methods. High marketable yield of 26053kg/ha was recorded from every furrow irrigation and the marketable yield of alternate furrow irrigation were 24601kg/ha which showed insignificant difference between the two method. Water productivity of 7.6kg/m&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;3&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt;, 7.3kg/m&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;3&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt; and 5.9kg/m&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;3&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt; were produced under alternate furrow, fixed furrow and every furrow irrigation respectively. It was found that alternate furrow irrigation method saved 26.61% of water as compared to every furrow irrigation as well as fixed furrow irrigation method saved 26.81% as compared with every furrow irrigation method. Alternate furrow irrigation method with appropriate irrigation interval that is three days of irrigation interval is suitable irrigation method; for semi arid areas where soil is dominated by loam soil and water is liming factor for crop production.

Performance of wheat as influenced by biofertilizer and phosphorus levels under alternate furrow irrigation

Performance of wheat as influenced by biofertilizer and phosphorus levels under alternate furrow irrigation

Participatory evaluation and demonstration of furrow irrigation systems with full irrigation application on Onion (Allium cepa L.) yield, yield component and water use efficiency at Docha Dembela in Demba Gofa woreda, South Ethiopia

Poor irrigation water management is one of the major factors limiting crop production in Ethiopia. Field experiment was conducted at farmers filed at Docha Dambal kebele in Demba Gofa woreda, Gofa zone, South Ethiopia for two consecutive years (2019 &amp; 2020) to evaluate and demonstrate the effect of furrow irrigation systems on onion yield and water use efficiency. The treatments consisted of three furrow irrigation systems (conventional, alternative and fixed). The irrigation treatments were laid out in randomized complete block design with six replications and participant farmers were used as a replication. Results indicated that highest mean value of marketable bulb yield (27758.2 kg ha-1) was brought under Conventional furrow system. However the lowest mean value of marketable bulb yield was recorded from the fixed furrow system (20482.5). However, Superior water use efficiency of 13.33kg/m3 was recorded from alternative furrow irrigation system. The lowest water use efficiency (7.78 kg/m3) was recorded from the Conventional furrow system. Therefore, It could be concluded that alternate furrow irrigation system maximized water use efficiency of onion with tolerable yield penalty at the study area. This result is important for farmers to irrigate supplemental lands with water saved, thus achieving a more efficient and rational use of land and water resources in the water limited area. If areas with no water scarcity, conventional furrow system could be a potential approach for promoting onion bulb yield under field conditions.

Pre - Extension Demonstration of Alternate Furrow Irrigation for Better Water Management Technologies at Dugda District

The agricultural sector is the main consumer of fresh irrigation water so any effort to improve WUE in this sector gets a lot of attention so, raising WUE through improved of modern irrigation techniques and increasing the capacity of soil output complementary to make better employ of irrigation water and saving water for other uses. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the most effective water-saving techniques and improve the water use efficiency of irrigated onions under limited agricultural water availability for better water management technologies. The treatment consists of conventional furrow irrigation and alternate furrow irrigation method with full crop water requirement in three replications on two farmers. Crop water requirement was estimated using actual daily climatic data. The result showed that conventional furrow irrigation method was the highest bulb yield and yield components when compared to alternate furrow irrigation method. Alternate furrow irrigation method produced total yield of 18.73 t/ha which was not significantly different with that obtained under every furrow irrigation (220.6 Qt/ha). It was also found that yield reduction may be low compared to the benefits gained by diverting the saved water to irrigate extra cultivated land. The result showed that decreasing WP with increased irrigation water from 50% crop water requirement (ETc) from alternate furrow irrigation (5.68 kg m-3) to conventional furrow irrigation 100% Etc (3.6 kg m-3). Increasing water deficit from 100 to 50% ETc led to an increase of onion WP up to 75%. For increasing marketable bulb yield of onion under no water stress scenario, irrigation of onion with conventional furrow irrigation methods could be used. However, under limiting irrigation water resource condition, irrigation of onion could be done with alternate furrow irrigation method to maximize water use efficiency of onion for similar agro-ecology and soil type.

Response of Durum Wheat to Deficit Irrigation

Deficit irrigation trial has been conducted to see the response of durum wheat to the extent of deficit irrigation at Debre Zeit research center for three successive seasons from 2016 to 2018. Establishment irrigations were given for all plots after swing and irrigation water application events were monitored using long term meteorological data and soil moisture readings. Irrigation water application depths (amount of water applied) were calculated from cumulative crop evapotranspiration (ETc) values in a given period and plots were irrigated with depths that was replenish 100 %, 75%, and 50 % of the cumulative ETc as per the treatment to be applied. Measured amount of irrigation water applied to every plot measured by using 3 inch Parshall flume. Results indicated those grain yields significantly affected by deficit irrigation levels and furrow irrigation methods. The highest mean grain yield of 5.8 t/ha attained from 75% ETc irrigation level with alternate furrow irrigation method while the lowest mean yield of 3.989 t/ha was obtained from treatment irrigated with 50% ETc and conventional furrow irrigation method. Therefore, based on the current findings, the highest grain yield was obtained at 75% ETc with alternate furrow irrigation system while the highest WUE was recorded at irrigating 100% ETc with alternate furrow system.

Coupled one-off alternate furrow irrigation with nitrogen topdressing at jointing optimizes soil nitrate-N distribution and wheat nitrogen productivity in dryland.

The judicious management of water and nitrogen (N) is pivotal for augmenting crop productivity and N use efficiency, while also mitigating environmental concerns. With the advent of the High-Farmland Construction Program in China, one-off irrigation has become feasible for most dryland fields, presenting a novel opportunity to explore the synergistic strategies of water and N management. This study delves into the impact of one-off alternate furrow irrigation (AFI) and topdressing N fertilizer (TN) on soil nitrate-N distribution, and N productivity-including plant N accumulation, translocation, and allocation, and grain yield, protein content, N use efficiency of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. Experimental treatments administered at the jointing stage comprised of two irrigation methods-every (EFI) and alternative (AFI) furrow irrigation at 75 mm, and two topdressing N rates-0 (NTN) and 60 (TN) kg N ha-1. Additionally, a conventional local farmer practice featuring no irrigation and no topdressing N (NINTN) was served as control. Compared to NINTN, EFINTN substantially increased aboveground N accumulation, grain yield, and protein yield, albeit with a reduction in grain protein content by 8.1%-10.6%. AFI, in turn, led to higher nitrate-N accumulation in the 60-160 cm soil depth at booting and anthesis, but diminished levels at maturity, resulting in a significant surge in N accumulation from anthesis to maturity and its contribution to grain, N fertilizer partial factor productivity (PFPN), and N uptake efficiency (NUPE), thereby promoting grain yield by 9.9% and preserving grain protein content. Likewise, TN enhanced soil nitrate-N at key growth stages, reflected in marked improvements in N accumulation both from booting to anthesis and from anthesis to maturity, as well as in grain yield, protein content, and protein yield. The combination of AFI and TN (AFITN) yielded the highest grain yield, protein content, with PFPN, NUPE, and N internal efficiency outstripping those of EFINTN, but not AFINTN. In essence, one-off AFI coupled with TN at the jointing stage is a promising strategy for optimizing soil nitrate-N and enhancing wheat N productivity in dryland where one-off irrigation is assured.

Growth, Yield Attributes and Yield of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) under Different Levels of Fertilizer and Vermicompost Grown under Every Furrow and Alternate Furrow Irrigation Methods

A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2021-22 at the Agronomy Research Farm of CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar in a split-plot design with two vermicompost levels i.e., vermicompost @ 1.5 t ha-1 and vermicompost @ 3.0 t ha-1, two irrigation methods i.e., every furrow irrigation and alternate furrow irrigation method as the main plot treatments and three fertilizer levels at N40P20, N60P30 and N80P40 kg ha-1 as subplot treatments and replicated three times. Among the vermicompost levels, vermicompost at 3.0 t ha-1 recorded significantly higher no. of tillers; yield attributes i.e., no. of effective tillers (12.88%), spike length (14.49%), no. of grains per spike (13.85%), 1000-grain weight (10.57%) and yield i.e., grain yield (11.00%), biological yield (10.75%) than vermicompost at 1.5 t ha-1. Among methods of irrigation, every furrow irrigation recorded significantly higher in no. of tillers, yield attributes i.e., no. of effective tillers (13.68%), spike length (14.49%), no. of grains per spike (11.51%), 1000-grain weight (9.37%); yield (grain yield (17.15%), biological yield (22.08%) and economics (gross and net returns (15.52 and 25.66%) than alternate furrow irrigation. Among fertilizer level, application of N80P40 recorded significantly higher no. of tillers, spike length, no. of grains per spike, 1000-grain weight; yield (grain yield (13.02%), biological yield (15.81%), and economics (gross and net returns (13.72 and 24.49%) over other levels of fertilizer. Based on the study, it was found that vermicompost level, method of irrigation and fertilizer level has significant effect on no. of tillers, available NPK content in soil, yield attributes, yield and economics of barley.

Empowering Farmers to Enhance Water Use Efficiency: Innovative Practices in SSPC

The Sardar Sarovar project, featuring a gravity dam on the Narmada River in Gujarat, stands as one of the largest in terms of concrete volume globally. This study investigates the project's extensive canal network and its impact on agricultural productivity in the command area. Covering a vast expanse across multiple states, the project's irrigation allocation and water management strategies are examined. Special attention is given to addressing soil degradation issues, particularly salinity, and implementing farmer-centered interventions to enhance water use efficiency. Methodologies include land rejuvenation efforts, reclamation of salt-affected land, participatory irrigation management, and promoting improved agricultural practices. Results indicate successful mitigation of soil degradation and increased crop yields through strategic interventions like cotton-castor relay cropping which has demonstrated a 1.5-fold increase in income compared to sole cropping. Intercropping with isabgul/ajwain, and implementing deficit irrigation have resulted in a substantial 43% increase in overall yield, particularly in cumin cultivation. Farmers have also embraced innovative water-saving techniques, such as alternative furrow irrigation and strategic timing of irrigation during critical growth stages, resulting in water savings of 30-35%. However, challenges remain in achieving widespread adoption of participatory irrigation management practices. The study concludes with insights into the necessity of sustained social engineering efforts and community engagement for long-term water resource management and agricultural sustainability in the project area.

Prospects of Solar Pump for Irrigation and Household Applications for Climate Resilience in the Coastal Region of Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a climate vulnerable and agricultural country. Coastal region of Bangladesh is severely affected by climate change. To mitigate climate, change a solar pump of flow rate 180 liter per minute was designed and tested in farmers’ fields of Kalapara and Galachipa Upazila (sub-district) of Patuakhali district, Barguna Sadar and Amtali Upazila of Barguna district and Char Fasson and Lalmohon Upazila of Bhola district in the coastal region of Bangladesh for irrigating in high value crops like tomato and brinjal using pond/canal water. One solar pump was installed in each Upazila of off-grid area in 2018 and experiments were conducted during 2018-2021. Each solar pump was operated with 1300 Wp photovoltaic panels and the panels were also used for supplying electricity to home appliances and home water supply when the irrigation time was over. In farmers’ fields, water saving irrigation methods such as drip irrigation and alternate furrow irrigation were conducted. The water savings from drip and alternate furrow irrigation methods over famers’ practice (every furrow irrigation) for tomato were 48.79% and 30.39% and those for brinjal were 47% and 35%, respectively. The benefit cost ratio of the demonstrated solar PV system was found to be 1.62 which was higher than low lift diesel pump (1.30). A small solar pump of 0.8 kW reduced 1.76 ton of carbon emission per year than a similar diesel engine operated pump. The farmers in the project areas are using the solar panels for irrigation, lightings, operating fans, supplying drinking water, sanitation and other purposes. Therefore, solar pump is an environment friendly and climate resilient technology with multiple benefits for small holder farmers in the coastal region of Bangladesh.

Canola Response to Alternate Furrow and cut-off Irrigation Combined with Bio-Mineral Fertilizer Applications at North Delta Region

Canola Response to Alternate Furrow and cut-off Irrigation Combined with Bio-Mineral Fertilizer Applications at North Delta Region

Effect of drought stress on morpho-physiological characteristics, nutritive value, and water-use efficiency of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] varieties under various irrigation systems.

Addressing water scarcity and the need for high-quality forage in arid regions necessitates the development of efficient irrigation techniques. This study assesses the impact of various irrigation methods on the performance and irrigation water-use efficiency (IWUE) of sorghum cultivars under water-deficit conditions in a semi-arid region of Iran during the 2019 and 2020 cropping seasons. Three irrigation methods-variable alternate furrow irrigation (AFI), fixed alternate furrow irrigation (FFI), and conventional furrow irrigation (CFI)-were evaluated alongside three levels of drought stress (severe stress: I50, moderate stress: I75, and full irrigation: I100) and two sorghum cultivars. The results indicated that increasing drought stress, as well as the transition from CFI to AFI and FFI, led to reductions in metabolizable energy yield (MEY), plant height, cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Conversely, there were increases in leaf-to-stem ratio, digestible organic matter, metabolizable energy content, crude protein content, and IWUE for metabolizable energy production (IWUEME). The highest MEY (211.68 GJ ha-1) was recorded under CFI×I100, albeit at the expense of maximum water consumption (7261 m3 ha-1). Meanwhile, the AFI×I50 and FFI×I50 treatments exhibited the highest IWUEME (44.46 MJ m-3) and metabolizable energy content (8.736 MJ kg-1), respectively, while conserving over 60% of water. Hybrid Speedfeed outperformed in forage yield and IWUEME, while cultivar Pegah excelled in forage quality. Transitioning from CFI to AFI or FFI resulted in decreased forage yield but improved forage quality and IWUEME. Principal component analysis revealed that leaf-to-stem ratio and plant height serve as effective indicators for assessing the nutritive value and forage yield of sorghum, respectively. Considering the overall results, cultivating the hybrid Speedfeed under AFI×I75 conditions is recommended for optimal water utilization, achieving satisfactory forage yield and quality, and enhancing IWUE.

Effect of Deficit Irrigation on Maize (Zea Mays L.) Crop Under Conventional, Fixed, and Alternate Furrow Irrigation for Effective Irrigation Water Management

A study was conducted with the objective of determining the effect of deficit irrigation on maize (Zea mays L.) under conventional, fixed, and alternate furrow irrigation. The experiment was conducted at Jimma Agricultural Research Center (JARC) in 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 dry periods. Nine treatments of different deficit irrigation levels were factorial combined and randomized in plots, and all cultural practices were done. The crop water requirement was calculated using the CROPWAT8.0 program. Yield and growth parameter data were recorded, and analyzed using SAS software. The two-year over-all statistical analysis result showed that, different deficit irrigation levels had a significant effect (p&lt;0.05) on grain yield, ear height, fresh biomass, 100 seed weight, girth, and water productivity. However, there was no significant effect (p &gt; 0.05) on plant height and internode length. The result revealed that 100% ETc conventional furrow gave the highest grain yield (106.1 Qun/ha), followed by 75% ETc conventional furrow (101.23 Qun/ha) and 50% ETc conventional furrow (81.86 Qun/ha). The minimum yield of 55.64 Qun/ha was obtained at a fixed 50% furrow irrigation, and there was a 52.44% yield improvement. The maximum fresh biomass of 196.5 Qun/ha was obtained from 100% conventional furrow, and the minimum 103.40 Qun/ha was at 50% fixed furrow irrigation. The maximum and minimum water productivity of 8.007 and 2.8 kg/m3 were obtained at 75% conventional and 100% fixed furrow irrigation, respectively. Considering the water productivity, net economic benefit and sustainable production of the crop in the agroecology of the study area, combination of 55% up to 85% of deficit irrigation level with conventional furrow irrigation system could be recommended for the production of maize in a deficit furrow irrigation method. Based on the observations made and the statistical analysis done, fixed furrow irrigation was not recommended for the study area.

Evaluation of Furrow Irrigation System on Head Cabbage Yield and Water Use Efficiency in Arbegona Woreda, Ethiopia

Available fresh water resources are subjected to an ever-increasing pressure due to extensive agricultural water demand for irrigated lands. A long-term perspective in shortage of fresh water resources, especially in arid and semi-arid area, highlights an urgent solution for innovative irrigation strategies and agricultural water management. The experiment was conducted in Arbegona district, Sidama region of Ethiopia. This experiment was conducted to evaluate and demonstrate of Alternative, Fixed and Conventional furrow irrigations on Head Cabbage yield and water use efficiency. To achieve this objective the treatment were three furrow irrigation method (Conventional, Alternate and Fixed furrow) laid out in a random complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The result shows that there is no significant difference between alternative and conventional furrow irrigation on Head cabbage yield. But, fixed furrow irrigation system reduces the yield significantly. The maximum yield (48407kg/ha and 43840kg/ha) was obtained from conventional and alternate furrow irrigation method, respectively. The minimum yield (35242kg/ha) was obtained under fixed furrow irrigation. Furrow irrigation method has no significant effect on plant height, head weight and head diameter of head cabbage. The highest water use efficiency was obtained from alternate furrow irrigation and shows significant difference between the other treatments. Therefore, to save water, labour and time without significant yield reduction alternate furrow irrigation is recommended in water scarce area of Ethiopia.

Natural Farming Practices Impact on Yield and Macro Nutrient Uptake of Sorghum

The objective of the experiment is to study the effect of different natural farming practices on sorghum yield and nutrient uptake. For this a field experiment was carried out in 2023 at the Eastern block - Field No. NA 02, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore. The experiment included a randomized block design with nine treatments and three replications. Zero Budget Natural Farming techniques were fully implemented, encompassing the use of Ghanajeevamirit as a basal application, treating seeds with Beejamirit, applying Jeevamirit every two weeks via irrigation, practicing intercropping and mulching, and employing Whapasa (Alternate Furrow irrigation). Additionally, both organic and integrated plots were integrated into the approach. Results revealed that application of 50% organic and 50% inorganic treatments with organic pest repellants as ICM (T8) produced noticeably highest grain yield (2781 kg ha-1), stover yield (5682 kg ha-1) and NPK uptake (135.39, 45.09 and 80.49 kg ha-1), which was comparable to T9 ICM using chemical pest repellants. In comparison to natural farming plots, the organic farming plot (T7) showed considerably higher grain yields (2555 kg ha-1), stover yields (5456 kg ha-1) and NPK uptake (122.49, 39.40, and 66.91 kg ha-1). There were considerably greater grain yield (2294 kg ha-1), stover yield (5173 kg ha-1) and NPK uptake (108.32, 34.17, and 56.17 kg ha-1) in complete Natural Farming plot T2, which include all components (B+J+G+M+I+W) compared to control treatment which had considerably lower grain yield (1597 kg ha-1), stover yield (4306 kg ha-1) and NPK uptake rates (58.28, 15.49 and 27.75 kg ha-1).

Assessing the Impact of Natural Farming Practices on Quality Parameters of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

Background: Cotton, a popular fiber crop, is in high demand for textiles due to its natural properties. It plays a vital role in biological cycles and sustainable yield. A field experiment to compare natural, organic farming and integrated crop management to assess cotton fiber qualities was conducted in Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, for two years (2021-22 and 2022-23) in Cotton cv. CO 17. Methods: The experiment had nine treatments, arranged in a Randomized Block Design and replicated thrice. A complete Zero Budget Natural Farming Practices were used, including Ghanajeevamirit as Basal, seed treatment with Beejamirit, Jeevamirit applied twice a month through irrigation, intercropping, mulching and Whapasa (Alternate Furrow irrigation). Organic and Integrated plots were also included. Result: The use of beejamirit, jeevamirit and ghanajeevamirit in natural farming led to substantial seed cotton yield of 1287 kg ha-1 in 2021-22 and 1364 kg ha-1 in 2022-23, comparable to organic plots of 1695 kg ha-1 in 2021-22 and 1768 kg ha-1 in 2022-23, while improving soil health, biodiversity and pest management. Quality characteristics did not significantly differ among the different farming practices.

Tillage Crop Establishment and Irrigation Methods Improve the Productivity of Wheat (Triticum aestivum): Water Use Studies, and the Biological Properties and Fertility Status of Soil

The Crop Research Centre of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology in Meerut (U.P.), India, conducted field experiments in a randomised block design, comprising three replicates, one late sown variety (DBW-90), and eight treatments, viz.: T1 was a conventional flood irrigation (CFI); T2, furrow irrigated with gated-pipe raised beds (FIGPRB); T3, all furrow irrigation (AFI); T4, alternate furrow irrigation (Alt. FI); T5, wide bed furrow irrigation (WBFI); T6, skip furrow irrigated (SFI); T7, Sprinkler irrigation (SI); and T8, Zero-till flat-irrigated using gated pipe/controlled-flood irrigation (ZTFIGP). These field experiments were conducted during the Rabi seasons of 2017–2018 and 2018–2019. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the yield, water productivity, and soil health under different tillage crop establishment methods. Test weight, spike length, and productive tillers were all considerably enhanced in treatment T5, with the treatment’s statistical significance being similar to that of treatments T8 and T2. Treatment T5 considerably outperformed the other treatments in terms of grain yield, straw yield, biological yield (44.32, 61.88, and 106.19 q ha−1, respectively), as well as harvest index (41.73). Thirty to sixty centimetres of soil were mined for the most water, followed by fifteen to thirty centimetres, zero to fifteen centimetres, and sixty to ninety centimetres. Both water-use efficiency (2.86 q ha−1 cm) and water productivity (1.91 kg cm−3) were highest under T7 (Sprinkler irrigation). The maximum total NPK (113.69; 27.45; 127.33 kg ha−1) was found in crops grown with wide bed furrow irrigation. The data also showed that treatment T6 (skip furrow irrigated) had the highest levels of accessible NPK in soil, followed closely by treatment T4 (alternate furrow irrigated). Treatment T8 (zero-till flat-irrigated using gated-pipe/controlled flood irrigation) had the highest bacterial, fungal, and actinomycete populations, followed by T5 (wide bed furrow irrigated) and T2 (furrow irrigated with gated-pipe/elevated bed). Our research showed that there may be more options for maintaining wheat crop water productivity and soil health under different agroecological conditions, including crop productivity, conservation tillage-based establishing methods, and irrigation regimes.

Alternative Furrow Irrigation Combined with Topdressing Nitrogen at Jointing Help Yield Formation and Water Use of Winter Wheat under No-Till Ridge Furrow Planting System in Semi-Humid Drought-Prone Areas of China

Benefiting from the high–farmland construction program in China, one–off irrigation can be guaranteed in most fields in semi–humid drought–prone areas in China. However, little information is available on water and nitrogen (N) management in wheat production under this condition. This study aimed to explore the effects of alternative furrow irrigation (AFI) and topdressing N fertilizer (TN) on wheat productivity under a no–till ridge–furrow planting system in semi–humid drought–prone areas. The experimental design was as follows: two furrow irrigation (FI) methods, namely, EFI (every furrow irrigation) and AFI (alternative furrow irrigation) with 75 mm at the jointing stage were set as the main treatments. Two topdressing N (TN) patterns, namely, NTN (0 kg ha−1 of N) and TN (60 kg ha−1 of N) along with irrigation were set as the secondary treatments. Moreover, a traditional planting practice with no irrigation and no topdressing N (NINTN) was set as control. In 2018–2020, a field experiment was carried out to investigate the effects on soil water, leaf chlorophyll relative content (SPAD) and net photosynthetic rate (Pn), aboveground dry matter assimilates, grain yield, water use efficiency (WUE) and economic benefit. We found that both FI methods and TN patterns significantly influenced soil water content. Compared with NINTN, the soil water content in each combination of the FI method and TN pattern was effectively improved at the booting and anthesis stages, leading to the significant increase in SPAD and Pn in leaves, post–anthesis dry matter accumulation (POA), grain yield, WUE and economic benefit of winter wheat. Compared with the EFI, averaged across years and TN patterns, the AFI technique increased the soil water storage at booting and anthesis stages and significantly improved the Pn at early milk (4.9%) and early dough (7.5%) stages, POA (40.6%) and its contribution to grain (CRPOA, 27.6%), the grain yield (10.2%), WUE (9.1%) and economic benefit (9.1%). In addition, compared with the NTN, the TN pattern significantly increased the water computation by wheat from booting to maturity, enhanced leaf Pn after anthesis and POA, and finally resulted in the increase in grain yield (14.7–21.9%) and WUE (9.6–21.1%). Thus, the greatest improvement in the leaf photosynthetic characteristics, aboveground dry matter assimilates, grain yield, WUE and economic benefit was achieved under AFITN treatment. Above all, it can be concluded that the AFITN with AFI of 75 mm and TN of 60 kg ha−1 at jointing was an alternative management strategy for optimizing yield formation and water use of winter wheat. This study provided new insights into improving wheat productivity in drought–prone areas where one–off irrigation can be guaranteed.

Drought responsive biomarkers of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) as affected by biochar, planting arrangement and alternate furrow irrigation

Drought responsive biomarkers of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) as affected by biochar, planting arrangement and alternate furrow irrigation

Effect of irrigation regimes and planting patterns on maize production in humid climates

AbstractTwin‐row planting in maize (Zea mays L.) has potential for reducing plant‐crowding stress for optimizing grain yield and resource use. A study was conducted in 2020 and 2021 on a Dundee silt loam in the Lower Mississippi Delta (LMD) region of the United States to evaluate maize grain yield and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) in single‐row (SR) and twin‐row (TR) planting patterns with same seed rate under four irrigation regimes: rainfed (RF), all‐furrow irrigation (FI), alternate‐furrow irrigation (AFI), and every third‐furrow irrigation (TFI). The TR enhanced grain yield by 9.2% in 2020 and 10.9% in 2021 over the SR system. The average final plant density at the reproductive phase was highest under AFI (73,900 ha−1) and lowest under RF (70,480 ha−1). Across all irrigation regimes, the leaf area index was significantly higher in the TR system. Average grain yields under SR were 10.01, 10.44, 9.48 and 9.10 Mg ha−1, respectively, in FI, AFI, TFI and RF; average grain yields under TR were 11.58, 11.32, 10.13 and 9.91 Mg ha−1. The AFI and FI recorded similar grain yields. The IWUE was highest in TR planting (0.028 kg m−3), followed by SR planting (0.024 kg m−3) under AFI. The IWUE of TFI in TR planting was 0.020 kg m−3 and in SR was 0.011 kg m−3. Economic analysis revealed that the TR‐FI and TR‐AFI had average profits of 446 and 432 US$ ha−1, respectively. The study suggests that maize producers in the LMD can save a significant amount of irrigation water without compromising grain yields by adapting the AFI‐TR system.