Irrigation Schemes Research Articles

Irrigation scheduling for potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) under drip irrigation in an arid region using AquaCrop model.

Potato is one of the key food crops and China is the largest potato producer in the world. However water scarcity is the major constraint to increase the productivity of potato in the arid regions such as Ningxia in northwest China where this crop is extensively cultivated. The overall objective of this study was to optimize the irrigation for potato cultivated under the drip irrigation. To do this, the AquaCrop model was calibrated and validated using the data obtained from two years of field experiment. Then, the calibrated crop model was used to simulate growth and tuber yield of potato in response to 30 different irrigation schemes under two different irrigation scenarios. The crop model evaluation parameters namely, the root mean square error (RMSE), the index of agreement (d), the normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) and the coefficient of determination (R2) showed that the AquaCrop model could simulate the growth and yield of potato under the drip irrigation with different irrigation treatments with reasonable accuracy. Furthermore, yield of potato has increased with increasing amount of total irrigation under drip irrigation; however, yield begins to decline when the amount of total irrigation exceeds 2500 m3 ha-1. The study also found that the optimum irrigation schedule for potato was 20mm of irrigation quota at 7 days of irrigation cycle (i.e., 1800 m3 ha-1 or 180mm of total irrigation). The above irrigation scheduling has achieved 46.77t ha-1 of tuber yield with 15.74kg m-3 of water use efficiency. These findings may be evaluated in potato cultivation across different climate and soil conditions for wide applicability at different arid regions of the world.

Water-energy-food linkages in community smallholder irrigation schemes: Center pivot irrigation in Rwanda

Water, energy, and food are linked in intricate ways in irrigated agriculture and understanding the interplay of these components is crucial for sustainable and profitable crop production, particularly in smallholder setting such as in sub-Saharan Africa. This study evaluates water-energy-food linkages, engineering and economic performance, irrigation decision making, and challenges faced around water management in a community-based mechanized irrigation scheme in Rwanda. The research is the first to analyze such as scheme, which uses technology typically used by large farmers in a smallholder setting. The study investigates the variation in water requirements and the relationship and impacts of this variability on crop yield for the crops grown in the scheme: maize, French beans, and dry beans. Observed irrigation decision-making analyses demonstrate a lack of irrigation planning during growth stages and significant field-to-field variation in irrigation; this is linked to yield reduction in major crops. Results suggest that farmers irrigated only 31% of modeled irrigation water in dry beans and 27% of modeled irrigation water in maize. An econometric model assessment is used to understand the relationship between yield and energy inputs. A related policy analysis considers the impacts of changes in crop and water management on field-level profits and system-level financial sustainability. This study has implications for understanding irrigation policies in the context of the water-energy-food nexus and decision-making in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Effects of different irrigation methods on regional climate in North China Plain: A modeling study

Agricultural irrigation is important in boosting crop yields in especially water-stressed regions, but little is known about the distinct climatic effects induced by different irrigation methods, particularly in the North China Plain (NCP) where irrigation is applied extensively. Here we examine the climatic effects of flood (FI), sprinkler (SI) and drip irrigation (DI) over NCP during the growing season using dynamic irrigation schemes implemented into a coupled land-atmosphere model. The model generally captures the spatial distribution of surface temperature, relative humidity and precipitation. The changes in regional average surface temperature induced by FI, SI and DI are –0.43, –0.53 and –0.19 °C, respectively. The relatively larger cooling effect for SI than that for FI is associated with enhanced cloud formation. By shifting the surface energy balance, FI and SI cause a wet, cool, cloudy and shallow planetary boundary layer, while DI exhibits the smallest effect and indeed inhibits cloud formation. The increases in convective available potential energy and precipitable water induced by FI and SI enhance convective precipitation over NCP by 0.8–1.2 mm d–1. In contrast, the reduced precipitation due to surface cooling within DI leads to a warmer and drier surface from June to August, which likely increases upper-level geopotential heights and in turn suppresses precipitation in a series of climate feedbacks. The distinct hydrometeorological interactions and feedbacks arising from different irrigation methods are likely related to different irrigation rates, frequencies and approaches of water application. While DI is recognized as the most water-saving method, it also generates the least surface cooling among the three methods and is thus less effective in safeguarding grain yields against rising temperatures. Our study emphasizes the need for more sustainable and adaptive irrigation methods to ensure food security, water conservation and climate stability in the face of climate change.

SHEAR STRESS BEHAVIOUR OF RICE GROWING VERTISOLS AT MWEA IRRIGATION SCHEME IN KENYA

Rice growing vertisol soils at Mwea Irrigation Scheme in Kenya are routinely subjected to dry ploughing prior to establishment of a new crop. During ploughing, the soil experiences varying levels of induced shear stress emanating from the weights of the working machinery. The objective of this research study was to assess the shear stress behaviour of rice growing vertisols at Mwea Irrigation Scheme with a view to manipulating resultant shear stress parameters at empirically established magnitudes for optimal tillage and traction operations. Collected samples from the study field were triaxially tested through successive three phases of saturation, isotropic consolidation and shearing based on critical state soil mechanics principles. Deviatoric stress – strain plots to establish shear strengths of samples from three profile depths (0 - 20, 20 – 40 and 40 – 60 cm) over varied water contents were developed. The study established that three patterns deformation characteristic occurred in vertisols when subjected to loading from working tillage machinery. A model of resultant induced deviatoric stresses within the three deformation zones at various strain levels predicted the shear stress behaviour of the study soil. Cohesive strength that is believed to represent maximum cohesive force holding soil particles together was observed at 70 kPa at a corresponding 100 frictional angle. Thus, maximum traction accompanied by optimal tillage operation by working machinery on vertisols is likely to be achieved at shear strength parameters of 70 kPa and 100 for cohesion and angle of internal friction respectively.

The modelling of tomato crop response to the climate change with different irrigation schemes

The inequality between available water supplies and growing water demand from diverse sectors, as well as the predicted climate changes are putting significant pressures on Egypt’s food security. There is a nation-wide demand for new scientifically proven on-farm practices to boost water productivity of major food crops. The objective of this study was to explore the use of various deficit irrigation schemes to improve water productivity ( WP) of tomato cultivated in Egypt under distinct climate change scenarios, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, in three time-steps of the reference period (2006– 2016), 2030s, and 2050s. The AquaCrop model was used to simulate the influence of climate change on the tomato crop, as well as two deficit irrigation application schemes for the full growing season and the regulated application for the initial and maturity crop stages. With the same irrigation method, the predicted WP increased in a general pattern across all climate change scenarios. The combination of irrigation schedule with the 80% deficit irrigation can enhance WP near the optimum level (approximately 2.2 kg∙m–3), especially during early and mature stages of the crop, saving up to 16% of water. The results showed that the expected temperature rise by 2050s would reduce the crop growth cycle by 3– 11 days for all irrigation treatments, resulting in a 1–6% decrease in crop evapotranspiration ( ETc) and affecting the dry tomato yield with different patterns of increase and decrease due to climate change.

Evaluation of the Streamflow Response to Agricultural Land Expansion in the Thiba River Watershed in Kenya

The increasing global population necessitates increased agricultural production, driving the expansion of agricultural lands and advancement of irrigation farming to supplement the inconsistent and insufficient rainfall patterns prevalent in many regions. This study aimed to evaluate the potential impacts of the expansion of agricultural lands on the streamflow regime of the Thiba River and its impact on the downstream users. The study involved comparing the 2004 and 2014 land uses and using the Hydrologic Engineering Centre’s Hydrologic Modelling Systems (HEC-GeoHMS and HEC-HMS) for long-term impact simulations. The results showed a considerable decline in the streamflow in the dry months compared to the wet months, with increasing water abstraction trends from 2007 to 2014. The long-term impact assessment showed an average decline in streamflow in the near (2030) and far (2060) future due to land use and population changes with minimal impact from the increasing precipitation. Based on these findings, there is a need for proper water management and adaptation mechanisms to be put in place to maintain the future water supply from the Thiba River. This study’s findings could assist policy and decision-makers in making informed water resource management decisions.

Evaluating Performance of Community-based Irrigation Schemes Using Remote-sensing Technologies to Enhance Sustainable Irrigation Water Management

Evaluating Performance of Community-based Irrigation Schemes Using Remote-sensing Technologies to Enhance Sustainable Irrigation Water Management

Evaluating the differences in irrigation methods for winter wheat under limited irrigation quotas in the water-food-economy nexus in the North China Plain

Quantitatively evaluating the effects of multiple factors on the performance levels of different irrigation methods under a limited water supply in the water-food-economy nexus at the regional scale is of great significance; such evaluations can facilitate the selection of appropriate irrigation methods and schemes to reduce the contradiction between the water shortage and grain production circumstances. In this study, the distributed SWAP-WOFOST (Soil-Water-Atmosphere-Plant-WOrld FOod STudy) model was applied to a typical area of severe deep groundwater overexploitation in the North China Plain. This model was used to simulate various scenarios of sprinkler irrigation (SI) and limited surface irrigation (LSI) under the three limited irrigation quotas (i.e., 75 mm, 150 mm and 225 mm) and to further quantify the differences in crop yield, evapotranspiration and water productivity (WP) between the two irrigation methods by considering three rainfall levels and 66 soil texture profile (STP) types. Then, the impacts of irrigation methods on farmers’ net income were analyzed; the increasing extents of SI implementation scale and workday wage to improve farmers’ net income were estimated according to irrigation, rainfall and soil conditions. Under a specific limited irrigation quota, the yield and WP of winter wheat under LSI were greater than those under SI without fertigation in more than 92% of the 66 STP types under the three rainfall levels, with yield differences mainly in the range of 200–1600 kg hm−2 and WP differences mainly in the range of 0–0.5 kg m−3. In no more than five STP types (e.g., sandy or loamy sandy soil in the five layers), the yield and WP under LSI were lower than those under SI. Relative to the evapotranspiration under LSI, the evapotranspiration under SI did not show the same trend, while the ratio of transpiration to evapotranspiration under SI decreased in more than 98% of the STP types. For different irrigation quotas and rainfall levels, the farmers’ net incomes under SI were 374–1517 yuan hm−2 greater than those under LSI for up to five STP types, and they were 0–3000 yuan hm−2 lower than those under LSI for the other 92% of the STP types. When labor could be saved by more than 8 d hm−2 by improving the implementation scale of SI and the workday wage could increase to more than 100 yuan d−1, SI was recommended to obtain higher farmers’ net income in more STP types in the study area.

Silicone wristband as a sampling tool for insecticide exposure assessment of vegetable farmers

The use of passive sampling devices (PSDs) as an appropriate alternative to conventional methods of assessing human exposure to environmental toxicants was studied. One-time purposive sampling by a silicone wristband was used to measure insecticide residues in 35 volunteer pepper farmers in the Vea irrigation scheme in the Guinea savannah and the Weija irrigation scheme in the coastal savannah ecological zones of Ghana. A GC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for quantifying 18 insecticides used by farmers in Ghana. Limits of detection (LODs) and quantitation (LOQs) ranged from 0.64 to 67 and 2.2–222 ng per wristband, respectively. The selected insecticides showed a range of concentrations in the various silicone wristbands from not detected to 27 μg/wristband. The concentrations of 13 insecticides were above their LOQs. Chlorpyrifos had the highest detection frequencies and concentrations, followed by cyhalothrin and then allethrin. This study shows that silicone wristbands can be used to detect individual insecticide exposures, providing a valuable tool for future exposure studies. Ghanaian vegetable farmers are substantially exposed to insecticides. Hence, the use of appropriate personal protective equipment is recommended.

Women in Agriculture: Irrigation as Empowerment Tool

Promoting women’s empowerment in agriculture is very vital since efforts towards ensuring food security have identified women farmers as key role players in many contexts and set-ups. This study aims to identify and understand the significant factors responsible for empowering women in smallholder irrigation schemes as these may play a crucial role in poverty reduction among women farmers. The authors applied a simple random technique to select 174 women from 8 irrigation schemes across Vhembe and Sekhukhune districts of South Africa. Primary data were collected on their demographics and empowerment using a modified Women Empowerment Agriculture Index developed by IFPRI. This index concludes that women are disempowered. The determinants of empowerment were estimated using multiple linear regression analysis. The results show that there wasa strong correlation between socio-economic characteristics and empowerment; however, only four out of eleven independent variables were significant (i.e., age, marital status, number of dependants and expenditure). The study provides policy suggestions to maintain and improve where women are empowered and to correct where they are disempowered.

An evaluation of small-scale irrigation schemes infrastructure

The development and management of irrigation in many developing countries have been characterized by many challenges, which have led to irrigation capacity utilization on some existing schemes being very low. This study assesses small-scale irrigation scheme infrastructure in the Upper West Region of Ghana, using Yeleyiri irrigation scheme in the Wa West District and Pulima irrigation scheme in the Sissala West District as case studies. The focus of the assessment was on the status and an analysis of the rehabilitation requirements of the two schemes. In conducting the evaluation, transect walks, topographic surveys, field observation, field measurement, interviews, focused group discussions, and questionnaire surveys were the approaches and methodology adopted. The results showed that the head works, slopes, inlet and outlet structures, water distribution systems, and drainage in both schemes were in a deplorable state and thus, required maintenance to ensure the optimization of the utilization of both schemes. In addition, the absence of a farmhouse and storage facilities in both schemes made the effective management of the schemes a major challenge. The study, therefore, proposes some interventions for the rehabilitation and efficient optimization of the two small-scale irrigation schemes.

Effects of irrigation scheduling methods and blended NPS fertilizer on tuber yield and water productivity of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in northwest Ethiopia

Irrigation water scheduling methods influence the growth, yield, and water productivity of crops including potatoes. Therefore, a study was conducted to evaluate the effects of irrigation frequency determination methods on tuber yield, irrigation water productivity and fertilizer use efficiency of potatoes at Koga irrigation scheme, in Northwest Ethiopia. The treatments were consisted of two irrigation frequency determination methods (wetting front detector and crop water requirement) and six NPS fertilizer rates (0, 90.8, 136.2, 181.6, 227.4 and 272.0 kg ha−1, which were factorial combined in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Growth and tuber yield data of potato were collected based on the standard procedure. Irrigation water productivity, partial factor productivity, and agronomic efficiency were calculated using their respective models. The collected data were analyzed using SAS version 9.4. The results revealed that the wetting front detector method recorded the highest tuber weight (79.5 g), tuber yield (41.9 t ha−1), and irrigation water productivity (9.1 kg potato m−3 water) compared to crop water requirement method. NPS fertilizer at the rate of 272 kg ha−1 also produced the highest tuber weight (86.5), tuber yield (58.1 t ha−1) and irrigation water productivity (12.4 kg potato m−3 water). Treatment combination of wetting front detector and 272 kg ha−1 NPS recorded the highest plant height (64.m cm) and stem number (10.4). Wetting front detector method recorded the highest partial factor productivity (275.2 kg potato per kg NPS) compared to crop water requirement. Wetting front detector combined with NPS rates generally recorded higher partial factor productivity compared to the respective NPS rates combined with crop water requirement. NPS fertilizer at 272 kg ha−1 combined with wetting front detector gave the highest net benefit (236,591.7 ETB ha−1) with acceptable marginal rate of return (248.9%), which is recommended for economical production of potato in the area.

Drought versus flood: What matters more to the performance of Sahel farming systems?

AbstractRecent climate change has brought new patterns of extreme events in terms of both drought and heavy rainfall to the drought‐prone African Sahel. The effects of these recent extreme events on the performance of the Sahel farming systems are still weakly investigated. This study aims at assessing effects of droughts versus floods on crop yield levels and losses, focusing on the so‐called recovery period, particularly 2001–2020. A newly developed productivity‐drought condition index (PDCI) is utilized to assess agricultural productivity as related to drought or flood in a highly vulnerable region, that is, the Sudanese Sahel. Four farming systems, namely traditional rainfed, mechanized rainfed, gravity irrigated and spate irrigated systems, with sorghum and millet as staple food crops, are considered. The PDCI is defined as a function of the integrated normalized difference vegetation index (iNDVI) over the growing season. To address temporal and spatial variabilities, scaling of the PDCI is done in two dimensions: space and time. Crop statistics are used to derive yield losses. Our results show that both drought and flood episodes (seven and six episodes, respectively) can be captured using the PDCI. Drought remains the most relevant risk to Sahel's crop productivity. Some recent large‐scale floods led to yield loss. However, floods cause smaller risks to agricultural productivity compared to droughts. Floods may even result in enhanced crop yields. Based upon scaling in the time or space domain, ranking the severity of drought impacts on crop yield for individual years from 2001 to 2020 reveals least to slightly different results. Vulnerability to drought depends on the crop type and farming system. Drought effect on crop yield from the irrigated sector is clear on individual years but not as a general statistical relationship. The parameter ‘percentage area under drought’ explains around one‐third of the variation in the rainfed crop yield. The spate irrigation scheme, the gravity irrigated system and the rainfed farmlands experienced respectively 87%, 57% and 46% of area under drought on average. Irrigated systems produce much higher crop yields than rainfed systems. The mechanized system is more drought‐vulnerable than the traditional system. These results call for identifying agricultural management pathways that recognize the combined implications of both hydrological extremes for the region's food security.

Sustainability and modernization of agricultural irrigation: A comparative assessment of two irrigation schemes

AbstractIn this study, two different irrigation schemes in Turkey were evaluated. One is Devegeçidi irrigation, which was put into operation in 1972. The command area is 5800 ha, and farmers used surface irrigation. Ergani irrigation, a modern irrigation scheme using drip and/or sprinkler irrigation systems with an irrigation area of 1866 ha, was put into operation in 2021. The average total water use (TWU), irrigation efficiency (IE), water economic productivity (WEP) and net income (NI) were 11,728 m3 ha−1, 45%, $0.21 m−3 and $2354 ha−1 in the Devegecidi irrigation, respectively, and all the same criteria results were 6189 m3 ha−1, 81%, $0.78 m−3 and $4789 ha−1 in the Ergani irrigation, respectively. In addition, irrigation water productivities (IWPs) in wheat, cotton and corn for the Devegeçidi irrigation were 0.78, 0.47 and 1.21 kg m−3, while those values were 0.89, 0.89 and 2.26 kg m−3 in the Ergani irrigation scheme, respectively. The study results show that the modernization of irrigation systems is significantly important in saving irrigation water and increasing the income of farmers and water productivity. These indicators can guide decision makers in the modernization of irrigation systems.

Response of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Varieties to Salicylic Acid, Potassium Silicate and Tamarind Extract in Saline Soils of Kano River Irrigation Scheme Nigeria

The experiment was carried out in the Eastern and Western sectors of Kano River Irrigation Scheme, Kano State latitude 11º 45’N and 12º 05’ N and longitude 8º 45’ E and 9º 05’ E in the Sudan Savanna Agro-ecology of Nigeria, during the dry season of 2020 and 2021. The experiment was therefore conceived with the aim of introducing improved salt tolerant varieties to farmers in addition to enhancing their tolerance using synthetic and natural plant growth regulators. The treatments consisted of four rice varieties made up of 2 salt tolerant accessions {Arica 1 and Arica 2, 1 blast resistant variety (Gawal R1) and a variety (FARO 44) as a check} these were factorially combined with foliar application of salicylic acid (0.2g in 1L of water), potassium silicate (16 g/L-1 of K2SiO3), tamarind extract 8% (320ml of extract in 1 liter of water) and a zero control (0). The treatments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) which consisted of 16 treatments replicated six times with a farmer constituting a replication. Results have shown that plant height, leaf area index (LAI), photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), chlorophyll content and the yield were all significantly affected by varietal differences except total number of tillers per plant in 2020. However, in 2021 LAI, PAR and chlorophyll content were not significantly affected by differences due to varieties but the remaining characters differed significantly. Exogenous factors had no effect on all the characters in 2020 but significantly influenced the chlorophyll content, total number of tillers and the yield in 2021. Arica 1 and Faro 44 gave the highest yield. Among the exogenous factors Tamarind extract had significantly heavier paddy yield than the control but was similar to other exogenous factors in terms of effectiveness. Tamarind extract could therefore be suggested to farmers when growing rice under saline or sodic condition in the irrigation scheme due to its lower cost and availability.

Hydraulic modelling of irrigation canals for improved flow conditions in surface irrigation systems

ABSTRACT Surface irrigation is a widely utilized method for agricultural irrigation, but it often suffers from low conveyance efficiency. Improving flow conditions in surface irrigation systems is crucial for enhancing water distribution and optimizing crop production. This study presents a comprehensive hydraulic modelling approach aimed at improving flow conditions in irrigation canals. The analysis focuses on the Doho Rice Irrigation Scheme in Uganda and utilizes the HEC-RAS hydraulic model. Different canal conditions, including desilting and vegetation clearing, concrete lining, plastic lining, and brick lining, are evaluated for their impact on flow dynamics. The findings reveal that all four canal conditions lead to significant improvements in flow conditions compared to the current state of the canal. Plastic lining emerges as the most effective solution, resulting in a remarkable 48 % improvement in flow conditions. Concrete lining follows closely with a 37 % improvement, while brick lining shows a 39 % enhancement. Desilting and vegetation clearing contribute to a 20 % improvement in flow conditions. These results underscore the potential of hydraulic modelling in guiding the design and management of irrigation canals to ensure sustainable water use practices.

Crop Production in Irrigation Schemes in Turkana County, Kenya, Before and During COVID-19 (2018-2021)

Turkana County, located in the northwest of Kenya, is an arid county and the poorest in the country, with a poverty index of 79.3% vs. 34.4% for the country. Due to its aridity, crop production is severely constrained and the County is a net importer of foodstuffs, except beef, mutton and camel meats. Crop production in the operating irrigation schemes depends on water from retreat flooding in March-May and any that is let into and retained in canals when the seasonal rivers are flowing. This project aimed to assess the influence of COVID-19 and other undetermined factors on crop production in 10 irrigation schemes along the Tirkwell River, over the period 2018-2021. The study administered a semi-structured questionnaire to 104 randomly selected farmers, who owned farm plots in the irrigation schemes. One-on-one interviews were held, due to the high level of illiteracy of the respondents. Twelve elders and administrators were the key informants. The study established that sorghum was the dominant crop grown in 9 out of the schemes, except in Kooliyoro-Kaaiteese, where maize was the main crop. Other crops in declining order by production volume included cowpeas, green grams, black grams and in Keekoroe-ngole, some green vegetables. The weight of the dominant crop and other crops varied significantly (p≤ 0.05) in the same irrigation scheme across the years of interest for this study, and also across the irrigation schemes over the production period. The results of the study showed that COVID-19 breakout did not affect crop production in the irrigation schemes studied. Farmer poverty level, lack of expert extension services, use of uncertified and reused seed, unreliable water supply, and regular droughts affected crop production. The most productive 3 schemes in descending order by crop production volumes were Nanyee, Napool and Keekoroe-ngole, while Naremit was the least productive. Crop production suffers from long-term sustainability in all the schemes for most of the above reasons. To improve crop production, the study recommends the provision of expert extension services, a steady water supply, annual donation of certified seeds, improvement in crop-care services, streamlining crop marketing services and the upgrade of governance and management capability in the irrigation schemes.

Application of water-saving irrigation and biostimulants on the agronomic performance of maize (Zea mays)

Water deficit can limit maize yield; therefore, appropriate choices of irrigation schemes or water-saving irrigation strategies to maximize WUE are needed for sustainable agriculture in response to environmental challenges and climate change. The objectives of our study were to evaluate and compare the effects of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) and partial root-zone drying irrigation (PRDI) schemes with various field capacity (FC) conditions on yield components, water use efficiency (WUE), photosynthesis capacity, and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of the maize plant in a pot experiment. Moreover, we also investigated foliar application of glycine betaine (B, 50 mM) and soil-treated chitin (C, 2 g/kg) to plants against water supply limitations and highlighted their potential for the sustainable production of maize. Significantly higher plant height, cob fresh and dry weights, and total dry weight of maize were observed in RDI with the 75 % FC condition compared to the control (full irrigation with 100 % FC). PRDI treatment resulted in significantly higher economic yield, WUEyield, and WUEbiomass compared to RDI treatment. Total water used in PRDI at 50 % FC saved 72 % of water resources compared to the control. Furthermore, values for effective quantum yield (ФPSII), photochemical quenching (qP), and electron transfer rate (ETR) of maize subjected to 75 % FC were higher than under 50 % FC and the control, while maximal quantum efficiency (Fv/Fm) levels of maize were higher under 50 % FC than under 75 % FC. All agronomic traits, chlorophyll content (as SPAD value), transpiration rate, net photosynthesis value, WUEyield, and WUEbiomass of plants subjected to PRD-50 %FC with spraying B alone showed higher values compared to other chemical applications and no chemical treatment. Applying C alone to maize plants under PRDI-50 % FC increased qP and Fv/Fm compared to other chemical treatments. Evaluating water deficits with non-destructive measurements are applicable to large-scale water management of maize plants, thereby enabling scarce water resources to be conserved.

The Gender Approach in the Production Projects of Irrigation Schemes in the High Basins Region of Burkina Faso

The Gender Approach in the Production Projects of Irrigation Schemes in the High Basins Region of Burkina Faso

Priority Handling of Teurebeh Irrigation Assets, Aceh Besar District, Aceh Province

Teurebeh Irrigation scheme is one of the promising irrigation areas in Aceh Besar District, Aceh Province. It is also one of the buffers in the agricultural sector, covering 750 hectares of agricultural area. However, the construction has shrunk over time, and the evaluation at the end of 2020 classified it as "Poor Performance and Requiring Attention." This study aims to determine the handling priority for the irrigation networks at the Teurebeh Irrigation scheme. Data on irrigation network inventory was used as input. The determination of handling priority was conducted using the Mann-Whitney method. The ranking for determining the importance of irrigation assets is based on the condition and function of the irrigation assets. ArcGIS and Google Earth software were used to determine the condition and handling of all assets. The results show that the handling priority levels are between the primary and secondary channels. The tapping structure of BDT.8, BDT.6, BDT.4, BDT.1, and BDT.7 are ranked 1 to 5, meaning they must be fixed immediately as the conditions are severe to moderately damaged and not functioning to functioning poorly. BDT.1 to BDT.3 is in the Primary Channel, while BDT.4 to BDT.8 is in the Secondary Channel. The handling priority for irrigation construction in the primary channel (BDT.1, BDT.1a, and BDT.1c) and the secondary channel (BDT.8, BDT.6, and BDT.7a) are within priority 1 to 3. The Mann-Whitney test on the proposed hypothesis comparing the urgency level between the two channels is insignificant, indicating no significant difference between the handling of primary and secondary channels, as both have similar conditions and functions. The results are expected to contribute to decision-making at the Irrigation Department in designing proposals for renovating irrigation networks.