Drip Irrigation Conditions Research Articles

Response of Solanum tuberosum L. to drip irrigation and nitrogen application: productivity, nutrition composition, bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity

Sustainable crop cultivation is a crucial goal in modern agriculture, aiming to attain high productivity while conserving natural resources. This requires the implementation of rational cultivation techniques, with proper irrigation and fertilization practices playing a crucial role in ensuring plant well-being and providing natural protection against biotic and abiotic stresses. The health-promoting properties of crops are also significantly influenced by irrigation and fertilization. This study investigated the productivity, nutritional composition, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant capacity of Vineta early potato cultivar tubers under drip irrigation conditions, combined with nitrogen fertilization through fertigation or broadcasting. Two-factor trials included drip irrigation (control or drip) and nitrogen application (broadcast or fertigation). Precise treatments, such as drip irrigation and N-fertigation were found to enhance all productivity traits. Both practices positively impacted tuber nutrient content. The highest levels of total polyphenols and chlorogenic acid were observed in non-irrigated and broadcasted tubers. Drip-irrigated and N-fertigated tubers exhibited high levels of vitamin C and antioxidant activity. In summary, the combination of drip irrigation with appropriate fertilization methods positively influenced potato crops, as evidenced by an increase in productivity and the quality of tubers.

Optimization of fertilizer use efficiency, soil quality and oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) growth with biochar under drip irrigation conditions irrigation conditions

Biochar (BC) is an eco-friendly product characterized with high content of carbon and usually obtained by heating biomass without oxygen. Utilizing BC as organic material to amend the problematic soils and improve plant growth and yield has been proved previously. This study investigated the effect of vetiver grass biochar (VGB) on fertilizer use efficiency, soil quality, and oil palm growth performance. A net house experiment was conducted at the Farm Unit, UiTM Sarawak Branch, between August 2022 and March 2023. A factorial randomized complete block design (RCBD) with five treatments and four replications was devised. Treatments applied were: T0) absolute control; T1) 100% NPK fertilizer; T2) 100% vetiver grass biochar; T3) 50% vetiver grass biochar + 50% NPK fertilizer; and T4) 25% vetiver grass biochar + 75% NPK fertilizer. The BC application significantly improved the fertilizer use efficiency through reducing the rate of fertilizer applied. It also significantly enhanced most soil-measured chemical properties and soil nutrients. The growth performance of oil palm plant was significantly enhanced by BC application in terms of plant height, hump diameter, leaf number, chlorophyll content, and plant biomass. The BC application demonstrated its usefulness in managing soil and cultivating oil palm plant sustainably by reducing the rate of fertilizer applied and improve the fertilizer use efficiency. Based on the output, we suggest that treatment T3 (50% vetiver grass biochar + 50% NPK) can be used to improve the growth performance of oil palm.

Increasing dissolved oxygen concentration of irrigation water is beneficial to nitrogen uptake of cotton under mulched drip irrigation

ContextEnhancing crop nitrogen absorption is crucial for improving nitrogen fertilizer utilization efficiency. Soil oxygen conditions play a vital role in influencing crop nutrient uptake. However, the impact of dissolved oxygen concentration in irrigation water on cotton’s nitrogen absorption remains unknow under mulched drip irrigation conditions. RESEARCH QUESTION: This study aimed to investigate whether the dissolved oxygen concentration in irrigation water affects cotton’s nitrogen uptake. METHODS: Urea was utilized as the nitrogen fertilizer, and 5 dissolved oxygen concentration of irrigation water were set in the experiment by adding sodium percarbonate (CK: 3.9 mg L−1, CO1: 9.2 mg L−1, CO2: 13.3 mg L−1, CO3: 17.3 mg L−1, CO4: 25.5 mg L−1). RESULTS: The results showed that increasing the dissolved oxygen concentration in irrigation water could increase the soil urease activity and bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTU), which may be beneficial to the urea decomposition and nitrogen cycling function. Towards the end of the cotton growth period, oxygenation irrigation led to an increase in nitrate nitrogen and ammonium nitrogen content in the soil. The average nitrate nitrogen content in the 0–60 cm soil layer of CO1, CO2, CO3 and CO4 increased by 12.4 %, 14.7 %, 15.9 % and 17.3 % respectively compared with CK. Similarly, the average ammonium nitrogen content of CO1, CO2, CO3 and CO4 in the 0–40 cm soil layer increased by 8.9 %, 11.7 %, 12.0 % and 11.6 % respectively compared with CK. Increasing the dissolved oxygen concentration in irrigation water resulted in elevated dry matter accumulation in cotton. The total dry matter of CO1, CO2, CO3 and CO4 increased by 9.5 %, 12.6 %, 14.6 % and 16.8 % respectively compared with CK. Additionally, the nitrogen concentration in each cotton organ also exhibited an increase. The total nitrogen accumulation of CO1, CO2, CO3 and CO4 increased by 26.1 %, 36.2 %, 48.2 % and 53.1 % respectively compared with CK. Furthermore, increasing the dissolved oxygen concentration in irrigation water also facilitated nitrogen migration to cotton bolls (boll shell + seed + fiber). The cotton boll nitrogen accumulation of CO1, CO2, CO3 and CO4 increased by 1.8 %, 3.4 %, 4.2 % and 4.2 % (absolute value) compared with CK (reached significant level). Finally, the lint yield and fiber quality parameters (micronaire, fiber elongation, fiber breaking strength) exhibited further improvement with the increase in dissolved oxygen concentration in irrigation water. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing the dissolved oxygen concentration in irrigation water promotes nitrogen absorption in cotton, facilitates nitrogen accumulation in cotton bolls, and enhances nitrogen fertilizer utilization efficiency. Moreover, it positively impacts cotton lint yield and fiber quality.

Improvement of grain weight and crop water productivity in winter wheat by light and frequent irrigation based on crop evapotranspiration

Efficient use of scarce water resources to maximize yield and crop water productivity (WPc) is a common goal of sustainable and ecological agriculture in the North China Plain. To clarify whether light and frequent (LF) irrigation under the same or reduced amount of irrigation is beneficial to achieve this goal, and to further tap the water saving potential. Based on drip irrigation conditions, a three–year (2020–2023) field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of four irrigation treatments (CK, conventional irrigation at the jointing and anthesis stages; LF1, 100 % ETc, ETc is the crop evapotranspiration; LF2, 75 % ETc, LF3, 50 % ETc) on yield, water consumption characteristics, leaf photosynthetic physiology and grain filling process. The results showed that compared with CK, LF1 and LF2 significantly increased the photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll content of flag leaves at 18 days after anthesis, promoted grain filling, and finally enhanced dry matter accumulation after anthesis, 1000–grain weight (TGW) and grain yield. LF irrigation management mode also increased the consumption of deep soil water (1.4–2.0 m), reduced soil water consumption and evapotranspiration, and significantly improved WPc and irrigation water productivity. However, LF1 and LF2 did not have significant yield enhancement in the wet year, but had one less irrigation than in the normal year. The LF2 achieved the highest WPc in three years (2.1 kg m–3), in the 25 % (37.5 mm) and 40 % (60 mm) less irrigation water in the normal and wet years, respectively. Meanwhile, the LF3 treatment reduced the number of spikes, TGW and dry matter accumulation to different degrees in three years, resulting in significantly lower yields (13.9 %–18.4 %), which cannot be used as a reference for an efficient irrigation system. Therefore, LF irrigation based on 75 % ETc is the best irrigation strategy to improve water utilization and yield in the North China Plain.

BA-Optimized Variable Domain Fuzzy PID Control Algorithm for Water and Fertilizer Ratio Control System in Cotton Field

Due to the time-varying, hysteresis and nonlinear characteristics of fertilizer concentration control in the water–fertilizer ratio control system, common control algorithms such as PID and fuzzy PID cannot obtain the expected control effect. In order to accurately control the cotton field water–fertilizer ratio regulation system drip irrigation process of the water–fertilizer ratio that will be controlled within a reasonable range, it is needed to design a bat-optimized variable-domain fuzzy PID water–fertilizer ratio control strategy, through the use of bat algorithm to find out the optimal expansion factor and the best domain of the current conditions, and then according to the changes in working conditions to automatically adjust the fuzzy control of the domain, through the control of the valve openings to change the fertilizer pump back to the amount of water. Realize the fast and precise control of fertilizer concentration in the water–fertilizer ratio control system. Comparative tests were conducted to verify the traditional PID, fuzzy PID, variable domain fuzzy PID and bat-optimized variable-domain fuzzy PID control algorithms. The results show that: if the water–fertilizer ratio is adjusted to 50:1 from the startup, the adjustment time required to reach the target water–fertilizer ratio under the bat-optimized variable-domain fuzzy PID control is 15.29 s, and the maximum overshooting amount is 16.28%, which is a smaller adjustment time and overshooting amount; if the water–fertilizer ratio is adjusted to 40:1 from 50:1, the advantages of bat-optimized variable-domain fuzzy PID are more obvious, with the best balance of response speed, overshooting amount and optimal control effect. In terms of response speed, overshooting amount and regulation time, the optimal balance is achieved, showing the optimal control effect. It is proved that the performance of the water–fertilizer ratio regulation system in cotton field under bat-optimized variable-domain fuzzy PID control designed in this paper can meet the actual production requirements, and these findings can help to develop precise irrigation technology for cotton cultivation under drip irrigation conditions.

Deficit Irrigation-Based Improvement in Growth and Yield of Quinoa in the Northwestern Arid Region in China

Given the current global water scarcity issues, which particularly affect arid regions such as northwestern China, it is crucial to find crop planting patterns that result in efficient water resource utilization. Quinoa, as a drought-resistant and highly nutritious crop, has garnered significant attention from agricultural researchers in recent years. From 2019 to 2020, a series of experimental studies were conducted under non-mulching drip irrigation conditions to investigate the growth adaptability and the response to different irrigation levels of quinoa in an arid region in northwestern China. A comparative analysis of quinoa’s dry matter accumulation, yield, thousand-grain weight, harvest index, and water use efficiency under varying irrigation levels revealed that increasing irrigation significantly enhanced quinoa’s dry matter accumulation and yield. By optimizing the irrigation strategies, we found that the water-saving practice of initiating moderate irrigation in the sensitive water-demanding stages (flowering and fruiting) of quinoa increased the yield. The experiment results showed that, in 2020, the optimal irrigation amount was 3675 m3·ha−1 during a 14-day irrigation cycle, meeting quinoa’s growth requirements while improving water resource utilization efficiency. This study not only provides a scientific basis for the efficient cultivation of quinoa in the arid regions of northwestern China, but also offers new insights into and technical support for agricultural water resource management in the region, contributing to the sustainable development of agriculture in arid areas.

Biologically active substances and safety of apples of different varieties of the Ural selection

Fresh apple fruits contain various components, including mono-, di- and polysaccharides, organic acids, triterpenoids, phytosterols, polyphenols, protein, vitamins, and macro- and microelements humans need. The purpose of the research was to study the biologically active substances and safety of apples of five varieties of winter and autumn ripening: Pervouralskaya, Krasa Sverdlovskaya, Blagovaya Vesti, Sverdlovchanin, Ekrannoe - to identify the most valuable fruits from the standpoint of modern nutritionology. The apple trees grew in equal climatic and agrotechnical (drip irrigation and fertigation) conditions IP GK(F) H Filippova A.A. (Chelyabinsk region, Kaslinsky district, Grigoryevka village). It was found that the content of insoluble dietary fiber in apples of the studied varieties did not have sharp fluctuations; the variability of the indicator was 14.3%. On the contrary, the amounts of vitamin C, pectin, polyphenols, and flavonoids had significant variability - up to 275, 100, 61, and 50%, respectively, depending on the variety. Safety indicators (content of Hg, Pb, patulin, HCH, DDT) in apples did not exceed the standards of TR CU 021/20H. The nitrate content in fruits was typical for the products of intensive apple orchards. At the same time, Pb levels varied from 0.036 to 0.103 mg/kg, nitrates - from 23.4 to 35.4 mg/kg. Increased amounts of studied biologically active substances and low levels of contaminants make it possible to classify apples of the Pervouralskaya and Krasa Sverdlovsk varieties as the best fruits of this apple orchard.

Experimental Study on the Migration and Distribution of Microplastics in Desert Farmland Soil Under Drip Irrigation.

The microplastics (MPs) formed by broken plastic film may migrate in the soil under drip irrigation. To investigate the migration distribution of MPs in desert farmland soil under drip irrigation conditions, our study was conducted on farmland in Xinjiang (China). A MP drip irrigation penetration migration testing device was set up in combination with Xinjiang farmland irrigation methods to conduct a migration simulation experiment. The results showed that the migration amount of MPs in soil was significantly positively correlated with the amount of drip irrigation, and significantly negatively correlated with the soil depth; in addition, the relationship between the migration amount of MPs in different types of soil was: clay < sandy loam < sandy soil. Under drip irrigation conditions, the migration rates of MPs were 30.51%, 19.41%, and 10.29% in sandy soil, sandy loam soil, and clay, respectively. The migration ability of these three particle sizes of polyethylene MPs in soil was ranked as follows: 25 to 147 μm > 0 to 25 μm > 147 to 250 μm. When the drip irrigation volume was 2.6 to 3.2 L, horizontal migration distances of MPs exceeded 5 cm, and vertical migration distances reached more than 30 cm. Our findings provide reference data for the study of soil MP migration. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:1250-1259. © 2024 SETAC.

Water and nitrogen supply at spatially distinct locations improves cotton water productivity and nitrogen use efficiency and yield under drip irrigation

The location of water and fertilizer supply directly affects the distribution of soil moisture and nutrients, thereby affecting crop yield and fertilizer use efficiency. However, the impact of water and nitrogen (N) supply location on cotton water and N use efficiency and yield is not yet clear, especially under drip irrigation conditions. A field experiment was conducted in 2022 and 2023. Four water and N supply patterns were set as: water and N supply at the same location (narrow row (PN) or wide row (PW)), water and N supply at spatially distinct (SD) and spatially and temporally distinct locations (STD). Soil water and N leaching, cotton root growth, water productivity (WP) and recovery efficiency of N (REN), and yield were quantified. The soil moisture and NO3--N vertical distribution range (0–60 cm) were deeper at the same location for water and N supply than at spatially distinct locations for water and N supply (0–40 cm). Compared to water and N supply at the same location, supply at spatially distinct locations significantly increased cotton root weight, root length density, and root surface area. In addition, water and NO3--N leaching of water and N supply at spatially distinct (SD and STD) were 12%-50% and 32%-59% lower, respectively, than those from the same location (PN and PW), while the yield and WP increased significantly by 7%-11% and 7%-10%, respectively. The REN of water and N supply at spatially and temporally distinct locations was the highest. Therefore, water and N supply at spatially distinct or spatially and temporally distinct locations can improve water productivity, recovery efficiency of N, and yield of cotton, and reduce soil water and N leaching loss under drip irrigation.

Karık ve Damla Sulama Yöntemleriyle Kırmızı Biberde Farklı Sulama Stratejilerinin Yaprak Osmotik Potansiyeli ile K ve Ca İyon Konsantrasyonları Üzerine Etkilerinin Belirlenmesi

A study was managed to identify the water stress effect on marketable yield, osmatic potential, and potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) ions for drip and furrow irrigated processing red pepper in the 2010 and 2011 growing seasons in Tarsus, Turkey. The treatments for drip irrigation; comprise full irrigation (DFI1.0), deficit irrigation DDI0.75, DPRD0.5, DFPRD0.5, and DDI0.5; for furrow irrigation; full irrigation (FFI1.0), fix alternative furrow (FAF0.5) and PRD furrow (FPRD0.5). FAF0.5 and FPRD0.5 received 50 % of the water applied to FFI1.0. In FAF0.5 the same furrows were irrigated while in FPRD0.5 irrigated alternately. Irrigation methods and irrigation levels had a remarkable effect on the total yield of red pepper in both experimental years. Drip irrigation treatments manufactured higher red pepper yields than the furrow irrigation treatments. The maximum yield in the drip irrigation system was acquired from the DFI1.0 treatment followed by DDI0.75, DDI0.5, and DFPRD0.5 treatments. Though DPRD0.5, DFPRD0.5, and DDI0.5 applied the same amount of water, DPRD0.5 resulted in a higher yield. In furrow treatments, FFI1.0 resulted in the highest yield followed by FPRD0.5 and FAF0.5. Water use efficiency (WUE) diminished with increasing the water amount for drip and furrow irrigation methods. While lower osmotic potential values were measured in full irrigation treatments in furrow and drip irrigation plots, higher osmotic potential values were determined in treatments where water stress was determined in both years. In both drip and furrow irrigation, the lowest Ca (%) values were obtained in full irrigation, while the highest Ca values were obtained in limited irrigation with water stress in the 2010 and 2011 years. K ion values were generally similar in the first and fourth pepper harvests in drip and furrow irrigation.

Effects of Aerated Drip Irrigation on the Soil Nitrogen Distribution, Crop Growth, and Yield of Chili Peppers.

In order to study the soil nitrogen (N) distribution pattern in the root zone of chili peppers under aerated drip irrigation (ADI) conditions and analyze the relationship between soil N distribution and crop growth, two irrigation methods (conventional drip irrigation and ADI) and three N levels (0, 140, and 210 kg hm-2) were set up in this experiment. Soil samples were collected by the soil auger method at the end of different reproductive periods, and the uniformity coefficient of soil N in the spatial distribution was calculated by the method of Christiansen's coefficient. The growth status and soil-related indices of pepper were determined at each sampling period, and the relationships between soil N distribution and chili pepper growth were obtained based on principal component analysis (PCA). The results showed that the spatial content of soil nitrate-N (NO3--N) fluctuated little during the whole reproductive period of chili peppers under ADI conditions, and the coefficient of uniformity of soil NO3--N content distribution increased by 5.29~37.63% compared with that of conventional drip irrigation. The aerated treatment increased the root length and surface area of chili peppers. In addition, the ADI treatments increased the plant height, stem diameter, root vigor, and leaf chlorophyll content to some extent compared with the nonaerated treatment. The results of PCA showed that the yield of chili peppers was positively correlated with the uniformity coefficient of soil NO3--N, root vigor, and root length. ADI can significantly improve the distribution uniformity of soil NO3--N and enhance the absorption and utilization of N by the root system, which in turn is conducive to the growth of the crop, the formation of yields, and the improvement of fruit quality.

Effects of Soluble Organic Fertilizer Combined with Inorganic Fertilizer on Greenhouse Tomatoes with Different Irrigation Techniques

A reasonable fertilization rate and appropriate irrigation technology can lead to the green development of greenhouse tomatoes. The purpose of this study was to explore suitable irrigation technology for greenhouse tomatoes and the appropriate application rate of the soluble organic fertilizer and inorganic fertilizer combination. In 2021 and 2022, the effects of different irrigation techniques and fertilization treatments on tomato plant growth, fruit quality, yield, and efficiency were studied. The irrigation techniques in this study were drip and Moistube irrigation, and there were seven types of fertilization treatment, namely, no fertilization treatment (CK); low-volume (T1, 330 kg/hm2), medium-volume (T2, 660 kg/hm2), and high-volume inorganic fertilizer treatments (T3, 990 kg/hm2); and three inorganic fertilizer treatments of low-volume inorganic fertilizer (T1, 330 kg/hm2) combined with low-volume (F1, T1 + 75 kg/hm2), medium-volume (F2, T1 + 225 kg/hm2), and high-volume (F3, T1 + 375 kg/hm2) organic fertilizer. A total of 14 experimental treatments were implemented for irrigation and fertilization. The results of the two-year experiment show that the growth effect on the height, stem diameter, and leaf area index of tomato plants was the best using the treatment of low-concentration inorganic fertilizer combined with medium-concentration organic fertilizer with Moistube irrigation and drip irrigation. Using the two irrigation methods, the application of soluble organic fertilizer increased the yield and improved the fruit quality of the tomato. The maximum yield increased by 28.52%, the soluble sugar content increased by 14.49%, the vitamin C content increased by 45.04%, and the lycopene increased by 18.79%. The entropy-weight TOPSIS model was used to comprehensively evaluate 14 evaluation objects with different irrigation methods and fertilization treatments. The results of the two-year experiment show that the best fertilization treatment under Moistube irrigation and drip irrigation conditions was low-concentration inorganic fertilizer combined with medium-concentration soluble organic fertilizer, which was combined with the best fertilization treatment, and the most suitable irrigation method for greenhouse tomato cultivation in the Loess Plateau was Moistube irrigation. The results of this study also provide practical experience and theoretical support for adaptive irrigation and the integrated management of water and fertilizer.

Расчет поливной нормы при капельном орошении древесно-плодовых культур в садовых насаждениях

Purpose: to develop the methodology for calculating irrigation rate for drip irrigation of tree-fruit crops, ensuring the formation of moistened soil contours in soil space with the required geometric and moisture parameters. Materials and methods. The empirical basis for the methodology development was the materials of the author's research devoted to determining the geometric dimensions (parameters) of soil moisture contours. The working hypothesis of the study involved determining the water supply rate for one emitter, one tree-fruit plant and a number of crops in the plantation, with further determining drip irrigation rate per unit area of drip-irrigated agricultural land, taking into account the number of drip micro-water outlets located on it. Results and discussion. When determining the geometric parameters of moisture contours and water supply rate, the main soil and technological parameters of drip irrigation and contour formation (physical clay content in soil, its lowest moisture capacity and bulk density, levels of pre-irrigation and after-irrigation soil moisture, specified depth soil profile moistening and dripper consumption) were considered as influence factors. The dependencies obtained by the author make it possible to determine the linear, areal and volumetric dimensions of local moisture contours and water supply rate, which, under appropriate conditions of drip irrigation, ensures the formation of a local, initially formed moisture contour with the required soil wetting depth in the soil layer. A study of the proposed methodology showed a deviation of the predicted parameters from the experimental soil moisture contours within ±10.0 %. Conclusions. A methodology allowing determining the irrigation rate for drip irrigation of agricultural land as the sum of the water supply rates of all drip water outlets irrigating 1 hectare of agricultural land with practical accuracy has been developed.

Расчет поливной нормы при капельном орошении древесно-плодовых культур в садовых насаждениях

Purpose: to develop the methodology for calculating irrigation rate for drip irrigation of tree-fruit crops, ensuring the formation of moistened soil contours in soil space with the required geometric and moisture parameters. Materials and methods. The empirical basis for the methodology development was the materials of the author's research devoted to determining the geometric dimensions (parameters) of soil moisture contours. The working hypothesis of the study involved determining the water supply rate for one emitter, one tree-fruit plant and a number of crops in the plantation, with further determining drip irrigation rate per unit area of drip-irrigated agricultural land, taking into account the number of drip micro-water outlets located on it. Results and discussion. When determining the geometric parameters of moisture contours and water supply rate, the main soil and technological parameters of drip irrigation and contour formation (physical clay content in soil, its lowest moisture capacity and bulk density, levels of pre-irrigation and after-irrigation soil moisture, specified depth soil profile moistening and dripper consumption) were considered as influence factors. The dependencies obtained by the author make it possible to determine the linear, areal and volumetric dimensions of local moisture contours and water supply rate, which, under appropriate conditions of drip irrigation, ensures the formation of a local, initially formed moisture contour with the required soil wetting depth in the soil layer. A study of the proposed methodology showed a deviation of the predicted parameters from the experimental soil moisture contours within ±10.0 %. Conclusions. A methodology allowing determining the irrigation rate for drip irrigation of agricultural land as the sum of the water supply rates of all drip water outlets irrigating 1 hectare of agricultural land with practical accuracy has been developed.

Evaluation of Cotton Genotypes Through the Selection Index Technique

Eight upland cotton genotypes introduced from different origins (BA440, FLASH, EDESSA, SPERO, IK259, W888, MONTANA and CANDIA) in addition to the two local cultivars (Coker 310 and Lachata) were cultivated on April 22 and 23, 2022 in the Rahmaniyah region at levels (0, 1, 2, and 3 g/liter). l) of nano-chelated NPK 20-20-20 under drip irrigation conditions, and using a randomized complete block design with three replications, in order to evaluate it by creating multiple selection indices and to estimate the expected increase in seed cotton yield. The results of the analysis of variance for the studied traits (seed cotton yield, plant height, number of fruiting per plant, number of bolls per plant, average boll weight, seed index, and lint index) showed that the mean square of genotypes and levels of nano-fertilizer and their interaction was highly significant for all traits except seed index in case of nano-fertilizer levels. The selection index that included the two traits of plant height and number of bolls per plant was characterized by a high increase in efficiency compared to direct selection of the seed cotton yield, indicating the importance of selection by adopting the selection index for several traits. This selection index in the current study was considered the best due to its high efficiency, and by adopting it in evaluating the genotypes, it was found that the highest mean of the index was 7.689 for the CANDIA genotype, with a significant difference from most other genotypes, followed by the FLASH and BA440 genotypes. The sequence of local varieties adopted in the study (Coker 310 and Lachata) in terms of performance was 10 and 7, respectively. It appeared that six introduced genotypes were superior to the best local cultivars (Lachata), and all introduced genotypes were higher than the least performing local variety (Coker 310).

Quantification of the water exchange in an agroforestry system under the background of film-mulching drip irrigation of farmland

Water availability is the most critical constraint for the healthy and sustainable development of agroforestry systems in arid and semi-arid regions; consequently, it is essential to clarify soil water dynamics and quantify water exchange within agroforestry systems. In this study, a two-year field experiment and a HYDRUS-2D numerical simulation model were used to clarify the characteristics of the two-dimensional distribution of soil water and the horizontal water exchange in an agroforestry system under the background of film-mulching drip irrigation of farmland. The results showed that the HYDRUS-2D for agroforestry systems had high accuracy in calculating the water flow and capturing the dynamic water exchange in various soil layers. The model simulation results showed that there were differences in soil water content between forest belt and farmland, and the two-dimensional distribution of soil water content showed vertical water transport and horizontal water exchange in the agroforestry system. During the growing season, the horizontal water flow exchange was mainly from the forest belt side and the farmland side to the agroforestry transition zone, with inflows of 61.3 mm and 199 mm at depths of 0–100 cm, respectively. A long-term severe "water stress zone" developed at a depth of about 0–40 cm in the forest belt, so the 0–40 cm soil depth was the main area of water competition in the agroforestry system. The results could provide a reference for the long-term healthy development of agroforestry systems and the management of agricultural water resources in oasis-desert systems under film-mulching drip irrigation conditions.

Evaluation of Cotton Genotypes Through the Selection Index Technique

Eight upland cotton genotypes introduced from different origins (BA440, FLASH, EDESSA, SPERO, IK259, W888, MONTANA and CANDIA) in addition to the two local cultivars (Coker 310 and Lachata) were cultivated on April 22 and 23, 2022 in the Rahmaniyah region at levels (0, 1, 2, and 3 g/liter). l) of nano-chelated NPK 20-20-20 under drip irrigation conditions, and using a randomized complete block design with three replications, in order to evaluate it by creating multiple selection indices and to estimate the expected increase in seed cotton yield. The results of the analysis of variance for the studied traits (seed cotton yield, plant height, number of fruiting per plant, number of bolls per plant, average boll weight, seed index, and lint index) showed that the mean square of genotypes and levels of nano-fertilizer and their interaction was highly significant for all traits except seed index in case of nano-fertilizer levels. The selection index that included the two traits of plant height and number of bolls per plant was characterized by a high increase in efficiency compared to direct selection of the seed cotton yield, indicating the importance of selection by adopting the selection index for several traits. This selection index in the current study was considered the best due to its high efficiency, and by adopting it in evaluating the genotypes, it was found that the highest mean of the index was 7.689 for the CANDIA genotype, with a significant difference from most other genotypes, followed by the FLASH and BA440 genotypes. The sequence of local varieties adopted in the study (Coker 310 and Lachata) in terms of performance was 10 and 7, respectively. It appeared that six introduced genotypes were superior to the best local cultivars (Lachata), and all introduced genotypes were higher than the least performing local variety (Coker 310).

Green waste-derived compost (GWC) alleviates drought stress and promotes sugar beet productivity and biofortification

ABSTRACT Green waste-derived compost (GWC) is a valuable soil amendment for improving soil organic matter and decreasing waste products and potential pollutants. The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of GWC application on the yield and quality of sugar beet under deficit irrigation conditions using different irrigation systems. A field experiment was conducted using the commercial sugar beet variety Gazelle in sandy soil. Two doses (0 and 14 t ha−1) of GWC were applied to the soil. Three water deficiency levels (60, 80 and 100% of the soil field capacity) under either drip and sprinkler irrigation systems were applied. The application of 14 ton ha−1 of GWC resulted in the highest root and recoverable sugar yields, especially under the well-irrigated conditions under drip irrigation. Sugar beet root biofortification and juice quality were also significantly improved under drip irrigation in response to the application of 14 ton ha−1 of GWC by increasing sucrose content, quality index (Qz)% and recoverable sugar (RS)%. The application of GWC under drip irrigation enhanced water use efficiency for root (WUERY) and recoverable sugar yields (WUERSY), in particular under drip irrigation and water deficit conditions (60% of the soil field capacity). The soil physicochemical properties were significantly improved in response to the application of GWC. GWC application promoted the yield and biofortification of sugar beet by improving the soil physiochemical properties, and nutrient mobilization and uptake. The application of GWC is essential for sustainable sugar beet production and efficient irrigation water use in sandy soils.

Influence of organic-mineral and biological fertilizers on the yield of winter garlic (Allium sativum) under the conditions of their application by drip irrigation

The article presents the results of three-year studies of the impact of the biological preparation Organic-Balance and organo-mineral fertilizer Helprost with Liposam adhesive on the sowing area of garlic of the winter variety Prometheus. It was established that under the conditions of drip irrigation and fertilization with the biological preparation Organic-Balance, organo-mineral fertilizer Helprost and adhesive Liposam with the rate of 2/2/1 l/ha in the phase of intensive growth and development of winter garlic plants were higher than the control variant by 39.4% and 37.3%, the area of the leaf blade is 280.5 cm2 and 252.7 cm2. In the first version, where the plants were watered only with water, the height was 57.4 cm, the area of the assimilation surface was 183.5 cm2. After fertilizing with organo-mineral fertilizer Helprost and adhesive Liposam at the rate of 2/1 and 1/1 l/ha, garlic plants were higher than the control variant by 37.9% and 36.4%, the leaf surface area was 224.0 cm2 and 199.6 cm2 respectively. When fed with the biological preparation Organic-balance and Liposam adhesive with a rate of 2/1 l/ha, the increase in plant height compared to the control was higher by 38.2%, the area of the leaves was 236.5 cm2. The conducted studies show a significant effect of feeding with biopreparations and organic-mineral fertilizers on crop formation. Thus, the best indicator was noted in the case of simultaneous treatment of single-toothed crops with the biological preparation Organic-Balance and organo-mineral fertilizer Helprost with the adhesive Liposam with the rate of 2/2/1 l/ha and with the rate of 2/1/1 l/ha, the yield was the highest 18, 7 and 18.3 t/ha, the yield premium was 6.5 and 6.1 t/ha, respectively. Somewhat lower indicators were obtained for feeding with the biological preparation Organic-balance, but it exceeded the control variant by 5.2 t/ha. When fertilizing with organo-mineral fertilizer Helprost with Lyposam adhesive, higher productivity indicators were obtained in the version with the rate of its application of 2/1 l/ha and prevailed over the control by 2.6%, while when fertilizing with the rate of 1/1 l/ha l/ha supplement to the harvest was 1.9%.

Investigation of Salt and Nitrogen Distribution under Belt Plastic Film Mulching in Surface- and Drip-Irrigated Maize Field in Hetao Irrigation District

Hetao Irrigation District (HID) is one of the main regions for maize and sunflower production in North China. However, water resource shortages and soil salinization greatly limit maize and sunflower production. The surface irrigation method is the main irrigation method in HID; however, now, the plastic mulching and drip irrigation area is increasing to reduce irrigation water and enhance crop yield. In this study, the soil water, salt, and nitrogen contents at the 0–100 cm soil layer under plastic mulching and non-mulching conditions with the surface irrigation—fertilizer broadcast practice and drip fertigation method were investigated at the maize elongation and maturation stages in the 2021 and 2022 seasons. The results show that the mulching practice and irrigation methods greatly influenced the soil salt and ionic nitrogen (NO3− and NH4+) distributions and, ultimately, the maize yield. Mulching reduced the soil salt content in the 0–20 cm soil layer by a mean of 35.7% under surface irrigation and by 18.6% under the drip irrigation condition. The NO3− content in the 0–20 cm soil layer with the drip fertigation system was approximately 8 times higher in mulching soil than that out of mulching. However under the surface irrigation condition, the NO3− content was 8–10 times lower under mulching than that out of mulching. The soil salt and NO3− contents were distributed uniformly at each soil layer deeper than a 40 cm depth, indicating minor effects of mulching. The soil NH4+ content decreased as the soil depth increased and distributed uniformly at each soil layer, indicating the insignificant influence of the mulching practice. As a result, the maize yield under the drip-mulching condition was approximately 11% (10.6~11.4%) higher than that under the surface-mulching condition in the two maize seasons. Given that surface irrigation is currently the primary irrigation method in the Hetao Irrigation District (HID), we have proposed three approaches aimed at enhancing maize production through the improvement of nitrogen levels in surface-mulching practices.