Conventional Furrow Irrigation Research Articles

Comparative Analysis of Profitability, Water and Energy Productivity in Curry Leaf Cultivation: Drip vs. Conventional Production Systems in Coimbatore district, India

The aim is to analyze the cost and returns of curry leaf production under different irrigation methods, assess water and energy productivity and draw conclusions regarding the sustainability and profitability of drip irrigation. The study utilizes a sample of 60 respondents from two blocks in Coimbatore district, employing a multi-stage random sampling technique. Primary data was collected through structured questionnaires administered via personal interviews between June and September 2023. Cost concepts were employed to calculate cultivation costs, while water and energy consumption were assessed to determine productivity. This study investigates the economic and environmental implications of adopting drip irrigation over conventional furrow irrigation for curry leaf cultivation in the Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu, India. The results demonstrate that drip irrigation significantly reduces operational costs and improves yields compared to furrow irrigation. Gross and net incomes are substantially higher with drip irrigation, highlighting its economic advantages. Moreover, drip irrigation shows higher water and energy productivity, indicating its potential for resource conservation and sustainability. The results emphasize the importance of governmental support in promoting drip irrigation adoption to enhance water efficiency and facilitate value-added product export. In conclusion, this study highlights the significance of drip irrigation in enhancing profitability, conserving resources and promoting agricultural sustainability in curry leaf cultivation within the Coimbatore region.

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<0.05) on grain yield, ear height, fresh biomass, 100 seed weight, girth, and water productivity. However, there was no significant effect (p > 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.

Impact of Drip Irrigation Regimes and Fertigation Levels on Yield and Economics of Summer Sesame (Sesamum indicum)

A field experiment was conducted at College farm, Water Technology Centre, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agriculture University (PJTSAU), Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during 2018 to 2019 to study the effect of differential drip irrigation and fertigation schedules on yield and economics of summer sesame. The experiment was framed with ten treatments viz., two irrigation levels (0.8 and 1.0 Epan), two fertigation levels (75% and 100% recommended dose of Nitrogen and Potassium), two schedules (Equal and differential) and two treatments with soil application of 100% RDF with Drip irrigation (1.0 Epan) and conventional furrow irrigation (1.0 IW/CPE) and were replicated thrice in Randomized Block Design. The results revealed that, application of 100% recommended dose of Nitrogen and Potassium (RDNK) through drip fertigation @ 0.8 or 1.0 Epan either in differential dosages based on crop growth stage or in equal splits recorded significantly superior yields (1011, 971, 977 and 990 kg/ ha, respectively) compared to the other treatments. These treatments recorded 13.5 and 26.7% higher yields, obtained from soil application of recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) with drip irrigation at 1.0 Epan (882 kg/ha) and furrow irrigation at a 1.0 IW/CPE ratio (774 kg/ha). Further, the highest water productivity of 0.24 kg/m3 was recorded with differential application of 100% RDNK under a drip irrigation regime of 0.8 Epan. This treatment also recorded the highest gross returns ( ₹ 96,489 /ha), net returns (₹ 53,604 /ha) and B:C ratio (2.95).

Effect of furrow irrigation systems and irrigation levels on maize agronomy and water use efficiency in Arba Minch, Southern, Ethiopia

Improved irrigation water management is the main strategy to improve water use efficiency in areas with limited water resources. Optimizing scarce water by selecting suitable furrow irrigation systems in arid and semi-arid parts of Ethiopia is rarely practiced. A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of conventional, alternate, and fixed furrow irrigation systems with three levels of irrigation (100%ETc, 75%ETc, and 50%ETc) on maize agronomy and water use efficiency in Arba Minch, Southern, Ethiopia. The experimental study had nine treatments under a randomized complete block design with three replications. Furrow irrigation system and deficit irrigation levels had a significant impact (P < 0.01) on maize agronomy, grain yield, and water use efficiency. The maximum grain yield of 7.99 ton ha−1 obtained under a conventional furrow irrigation system at 100%ETc was significantly higher than the other treatments and the minimum grain yield of 4.24 ton ha−1 obtained under a fixed furrow irrigation system at 50%ETc was significantly inferior as compared to other treatments. The maximum values of crop, field, and expense water use efficiencies were 2.49, 2.80, and 1.72 kg m−3 under conventional furrow irrigation at 50%ETc, respectively. The minimum values of crop, field, and expense water use efficiencies were 1.47, 1.28, and 1.05 kg m−3 under a fixed furrow irrigation system at 100%ETc, respectively. A conventional furrow irrigation system at 50%ETc can increase 0.64 ha net additional irrigable land pre each hectare compared to the conventional furrow irrigation system at 100%ETc. Water saving up to 50%ETc in conventional furrow irrigation can solve the water shortage problem by improving water use efficiency with insignificant yield reduction.

Potential for using Solar-Powered Water Pumping Technology for Irrigating Sugarcane in Sri Lanka

Purpose: Price hike of petroleum and the non-coverage of national electricity supply in plantation sites are some shortcomings against implementing lift irrigation projects in highland sugarcane plantations. Solar energy can be used as an alternative energy source for diesel or national electricity dependent water pumping technology. The present paper demonstrates the potential of using solar-powered water pumping technology for irrigating sugarcane in Sevanagala, Pelwatta, Hingurana, Kantale, and Kilinochchi, in Sri Lanka. Research Method: The study was conducted in Sevanagala, Pelwatta, Hingurana, Kantale, and Kilinochchi, sugarcane growing areas. Technical and economical evaluation was carried out to characterize the usability of solar powered water pumping technology respective to conventional furrow irrigation and drip irrigation under different water sources i.e., tube-wells, agro-wells, small water tanks, and runoff water harvesters. Solar irradiance (W.m⁻²) and cloud cover (%) in each location were used to estimate the solar energy variations. NASA–MERRA-2 data set (GMAO, 2015) was used to derive solar irradiance for the period of 10 years from 2010 – 2019. Findings: The solar irradiance and insolation in the sugarcane plantation sites are sufficient to operate solar-powered water pumping systems. The solar irradiance and insolation in study area ranged from 218.2 kW.m⁻² to 225.4 kW.m⁻² and 5.34 kW.h.m⁻² to 5.48 kW.h.m⁻² respectively. The solar technology will greatly reduce the operating costs of irrigation, despite the high initial costs. Kilinochchi and Kantale area showed the highest and lowest profitability in using solar powered irrigation respectively. Nevertheless, Sevanagala, Pelwatta and Hingurana show medium potential for implementing solar powered water pumping systems for irrigations. Research Limitation: Limited availability of data on temporal changers of cost incurred on the irrigation practices and the fluctuation of market price of the solar powered water pumping systems were significant constraints experienced during the study period. Originality/ Value: The results of this study are highly useful for decision makers in both plantation and national level in implementation of productivity improving programs in sugarcane plantation areas in Sri Lanka.

The use of alternative irrigation and cropping systems in forage production may alleviate the water scarcity in semi-arid regions.

Strategies to enhance the efficient use of irrigation water require a major shift in irrigation and cropping systems. It was hypothesized that (i) replacing water-demanding crops such as corn silage with more drought-tolerant forages species, (ii) adoption of intercropping instead of monoculture, and (iii) use of alternative irrigation methods, may alleviate the water shortage in semi-arid regions, while producing high-quality forage. Adoption of drip irrigation (DRIP) and alternate furrow irrigation (AFI) reduced water consumption by 43% and 20%, respectively. Additionally, DRIP produced 11% more biomass than the conventional furrow irrigation. The intercropped ratio of 50% sorghum and 50% amaranth under DRIP maximized forage production and improved irrigation water-use efficiency (IWUE). Principal component analysis indicated that the DRIP increased the dry matter yield and IWUE, whereas the AFI improved the forage quality. The intercropped ratio of 75% sorghum and 25% amaranth demonstrated the highest yield stability and was considered superior cropping system regardless of the irrigation strategies. DRIP and AFI strategies were effective in reducing water consumption, with DRIP being the most water-efficient method. Intercropping sorghum and amaranth at a ratio of 50:50 under DRIP resulted in the highest forage yield and IWUE. While sole amaranth had the highest forage quality, intercropping sorghum and amaranth increased dry matter production with better forage quality than sorghum monoculture. Overall, the combination of DRIP and intercropping sorghum and amaranth at a ratio of 50:50 considered as a suitable strategy for improving forage yield and quality, as well as IWUE. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Integrated Effects of Water Stress and Plastic Film Mulch on Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Grain Maize Crop under Conventional and Alternate Furrow Irrigation Method

Water scarcity in arid regions increases the need for technologies to improve water productivity. The integrated effects of plastic film mulching and water stress on grain maize under conventional and alternate furrow irrigation methods are still poorly understood in Sindh’s climate. Therefore, field trials were conducted at Malir farm, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam, Pakistan, during the cropping season 2020–2021 to investigate whether mulching is practicable for grain maize production under the different furrow irrigation methods. The experiments involved two types of furrow irrigation, two water stress levels (sufficient and severe water stress), and plastic film mulching. Treatments were laid out in a randomized block design and three replications. The conventional and alternate furrow irrigation method was assigned to the main plot, while the water stress and plastic film mulching were in sub-plots. The results showed that different furrow irrigation methods significantly affected plant growth, grain yield parameters, and crop harvest index. Significant highest plant growth and grain yield of maize crop were observed with the conventional furrow irrigation (CFI) compared with the alternate furrow irrigation (AFI) method. However, grain yield and irrigation water productivity (IWP) were increased significantly by the plastic film mulching. The results revealed that sufficient water stress was more effective in sustaining grain yield and IWP than crop irrigating at several water stresses. The interaction effect of furrow irrigation and water stress, furrow irrigation, and plastic film mulching significantly impacted the IWP of grain maize. The IWP of the maize crop was significantly higher under the AFI than the CFI method if it was mulched with plastic film and irrigated at sufficient water stress level.

Effect of partial root-zone drying irrigation (PRDI) on alfalfa available soil P

ABSTRACT This study focused on alfalfa (Medicago sativa) to investigate the effect of partial root-zone drying irrigation (PRDI) on N-fixing crops available soil P. A three-year field experiment was designed with two irrigation methods and four irrigation volumes. Two irrigation methods consisted of PRDI and conventional furrow irrigation (CFI), and four irrigation volumes were set as 70% ETc (alfalfa water requirement), 85% ETc, 100% ETc and 115% ETc. This study showed that the PRDI had no effect on alfalfa seasonal forage yield but increased alfalfa P uptake. The PRDI decreased the soil available P content and stock but had no effect on the total P content and stock, which demonstrates that effect of PRDI on crop available soil P was different when different P forms were used to estimate crop available soil P. This study also showed that the variation in the coefficient was below 3% between soil P (available or total P) contents and soil P stocks, indicating that soil P contents and stocks were similar when estimating alfalfa available soil P under PRDI conditions. The findings of this study present a pattern of estimating the N-fixing crops available soil P in relation to PRDI.

Evaluation and optimization of surge and alternate furrow irrigation performance in maize fields using the WinSRFR software

Low efficiency of irrigation is a major problem with surface irrigation methods, mainly due to poor management and improper design. The objective of this study was to evaluate and improve the performance of different surge and alternate furrow irrigation methods. A field experiment was conducted during the grain maize growing season in the Jayedar Plain of Poldokhtar City (southwest of Iran) in the years 2020 and 2021. Five different furrow irrigation methods including conventional furrow irrigation (CFI), surge irrigation with on/off cycle ratios of 1 and 0.5 (SFI1–1 and SFI1–2, respectively), fixed alternate irrigation (FFI) and variable alternate irrigation (AFI) were investigated. A total of 15 irrigation evaluations were performed at the initial, middle, and end of the growing season by measuring inflow rate, cutoff time, outflow rate, infiltration and advance time. The length and spacing of experimental furrows were 120 and 0.75 m, respectively, and the inflow rate of furrows and the flow cutoff times at the initial (3rd irrigation), middle (6th irrigation), and end (9th irrigation) of the season were 0.28 L/s and 240 min, 0.42 L/s and 360 min, 0.35 L/s and 300 min, respectively. The WinSRFR 3.1 software was calibrated and applied using field data based on the zero-inertia model. The results of the furrow irrigation sensitivity analysis with WinSRFR 3.1 software demonstrated that furrow irrigation in the studied area was most sensitive to the inflow rate, cutoff time and infiltration parameters, respectively. There were high correlations between the measured and simulated values of runoff, infiltration and advance time (coefficient of determination of 1.0, 0.94, and 0.97, respectively). The relative error values in estimating runoff, infiltration and advance time were 5.60 %, 5.09 %, and 2.14 %, respectively. Mean performance indices of different furrow irrigation methods under field experiments showed that the highest values of Application Efficiency (78.7 %), Potential Application Efficiency of the minimum (69.5 %), and Potential Application Efficiency of low-quarter (74.1 %) were observed under the AFI method. By optimizing the inflow rate and flow cutoff time, application efficiencies of 66.6–80.7 % were obtained for different irrigation methods. The results of this study show that AFI is a more suitable method for maize irrigation in the study area.

Executing legitimate irrigation scheduling by deficit irrigation mechanism to maximize onion production

Lack of irrigated water poses a threat in arid and semi-arid areas. Hybrid irrigation system has become an obligatory to save water and increase productivity. Deficit irrigation scheduling is a recent innovative approach of water-saving method. An experiment was conducted to estimate the irrigation interval and find an amicable solution by optimum deficit irrigation level at Arba Minch of southern Ethiopia using conventional furrow irrigation system. The treatments comprised 75%, 50% and 25% of irrigation requirement and four growth stages (initial, development, bulb formation, and late), which were considered in random complete block design with three replications. Refilling was commenced when 25% of Readily Available Water (RAW) depletion at the full irrigation was observed. The irrigation intervals at growth stages were 4, 6, 4, and 3 days, respectively, with an overall irrigation interval of 3 days. The net and gross irrigation of the crop were 311.80 mm and 445.42 mm, respectively. The highest crop phenology and yield were obtained by applying Irrigation Requirement (IR) of a maximum 100% and minimum at 25%. The maximum yield of 25.88 ton/ha was obtained from full irrigation which hardly affects the yield of 25.70 ton/ha obtained from 75%IR at late growth stages. Therefore, application of 100%IR at 3 days interval was assessed as economically productive. However, 50%IR at 3 days interval can be an option when there is a constraint of water supply. The findings will be useful for irrigation water management to maximize crop yields with limited water and unlimited land resources.

Influence of furrow irrigation regime on the yield and water consumption indicators of winter wheat based on a multi-level fuzzy comprehensive evaluation.

Irrigation regimes should be chosen to maximize crop yield and water use efficiency. To realize high yield and efficient water use with the appropriate furrow irrigation regime, the effects of two regimes (alternate furrow irrigation and conventional furrow irrigation) and three lower soil moisture limits (60, 70, and 80%) were studied on winter wheat yield and water consumption using a multi-level fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method. The results show that under the two regimes, alternate furrow irrigation and conventional furrow irrigation, when the lower limit of the soil moisture is 70%, the harvest index (0.45 and 0.39, respectively) and crop water productivity of winter wheat (1.86 and 1.90 kg m−3, respectively) are highest. The comprehensive fuzzy evaluation model considers multiple measures, including yield, harvest indices, irrigation volume, total water consumption, and crop water productivity – the index values are highest at the 70% condition, which are 0.3468 and 0.3432, respectively. Therefore, it can be concluded that a moderate water deficit is conducive to saving water resources and improving water use efficiency. In conclusion, a multi-level and multi-factor indices system of furrow irrigation regime was constructed based on ensuring winter wheat production. Conventional furrow irrigation is recommended in areas with sufficient irrigation water, while alternating furrow irrigation, which can reduce the total amount of irrigation required, is suitable for areas with water shortages.

Effect of different irrigation methods on productivity of maize in vertisols of Northern Karnataka

Field experiment was conducted to know the response of different surface irrigation methods for maize at Water and Land Management Institute Campus, Dharwad of Northern Karnataka during 2013-14 to 2015-16. The study revealed that, the increase in grain yield was 16.05 and 6.00 per cent in alternate furrow irrigation and in conventional furrow irrigation, respectively over flooding method of irrigation. The saving in irrigation water was to the extent of 32.10 and 10.83 per cent, respectively in alternate furrow irrigation and conventional furrow irrigation over flooding method of irrigation. The water productivity was 20.66,14.34 and 11.96 kg/ha-mm in alternate furrow irrigation, conventional furrow irrigation and flooding method of irrigation, respectively. The increase in water productivity was 72.27 per cent in alternate furrow irrigation over flooding method of irrigation and 19.54 per cent in conventional furrow irrigation as compared with that of surface flooding method. The gross benefit-cost ratios were 2.94, 2.675 and 2.53 in alternate furrow irrigation, conventional furrow irrigation and flooding method of irrigation, respectively. The increase in net income per ha-mm of water used was 87.93 and 24.38 per cent, respectively in alternate furrow irrigation and in conventional furrow irrigation over flooding method of irrigation.

Studies on surface irrigation methods for sunflower in Dharwad district of Northern Karnataka

Field experiment was conducted to study the response of different methods of surface irrigation for sunflower at water and land management institute campus, Dharwad of Northern Karnataka during 2013-14 to 2015-16. The study revealed that, the increase in grain yield was 12.71 and 9.23 per cent in alternate furrow irrigation and in conventional furrow irrigation, respectively over flooding method of irrigation. The saving in irrigation water was to the extent of 29.60 and 12.12 per cent, respectively in alternate furrow irrigation and conventional furrow irrigation over flooding method of irrigation. The water productivity was 41.59, 30.89 and 25.82 kg/ha-cm in alternate furrow irrigation, conventional furrow irrigation and flooding method of irrigation, respectively. The increase in water productivity was 60.61 per cent in alternate furrow irrigation over flooding method of irrigation and 19.56 per cent in conventional furrow irrigation as compared with that of surface flooding method. The gross benefit-cost ratios were 2.33, 2.25 and 2.06 in alternate furrow irrigation, conventional furrow irrigation and flooding method of irrigation, respectively. The increase in net income per ha-cm of water used was 78.35 and 29.23 per cent, respectively in alternate furrow irrigation and in conventional furrow irrigation over flooding method of irrigation.

Field evaluation of an explicit infiltration function for conventional and alternate furrow irrigation

AbstractSurface irrigation models should take two‐dimensional infiltration of water in furrows into account for better representation and more accuracy. The Warrick–Lazarovitch infiltration model (W–L model) has been proposed to estimate the two‐dimensional infiltration of water in furrow irrigation. This model consists of several parameters, including γ as an empirical parameter, which is often obtained through calibration of the model. This study aimed to evaluate the W–L model performance in determining the cumulative and lateral infiltrations under conventional furrow irrigation (CFI) and alternate furrow irrigation (AFI) schemes and two different initial and boundary conditions. The results indicate that the W–L model adequately estimated the cumulative and lateral infiltration, and the two‐dimensional infiltration was estimated with less error than the lateral infiltration. In both irrigation schemes, for an increased surface boundary head from 5 to 10 cm and for a reduced initial water content from 0.21 to 0.16 cm3/cm3, the value of γ would increase. Generally, γ values in AFI were greater than those in CFI. The W–L model estimated the two‐dimensional infiltration with more accuracy than the relative lateral infiltration for both CFI and AFI. Proper representation of infiltration is important in both irrigation management and in tracing footprints of chemicals used in agriculture.

Performance Evaluation and Water Availability of Canal Irrigation Scheme in Punjab Pakistan

The supply of surface water by century-old infrastructure causes substantial water loss and triggers huge abstractions of groundwater, resulting in low irrigation efficiency. We evaluated the irrigation performance (application and conveyance efficiencies) and water availability (supply-demand) from the field to the Mungi Distributary canal level in Punjab, Pakistan. Between April–September 2019 and 2020, we monitored water delivery in the canal network, soil moisture content in cotton fields, and the canal and groundwater quality. The crops’ actual evapotranspiration was estimated using the AquaCrop model. We found conveyance efficiencies &gt;90% for minor distributaries, 70–89% for watercourses, and ~75% for field ditches per kilometer. Field application efficiency was &gt;90% for drip and ~35% for flood basin, whereas for raised-bed furrow, conventional furrow, and ridge-furrow irrigation methods, it varied between 44% and 83%. The deficits of canal water supply versus demand for cotton fields ranged from 45% to 73%, whereas the Mungi Distributary canal water showed a 68.6% and 19.8% shortfall in the April–September and October–March seasons of 2018/2019, respectively. The study suggests prioritizing improvements to field water application rather than canals with better water quality; additionally, surplus water from the Mungi canal in November and December could be stored for later use.

Determination of optimum irrigation scheduling for sorghum in Benna-Tsemay Woreda, Southern Ethiopia

Scarcity of water is the most severe constraint for sustainable development of agriculture in arid and semi-arid areas. Hence, novel irrigation water application systems need to be developed so that high crop yield and water productivity per unit of land can be increased. Thus, the field experiment was conducted with the objective of determining the effect of different soil moisture depletion levels on yield and water use efficiency of sorghum crop in Benna-Tsemay woreda at Enchete kebele, Southern Ethiopia. The experiment was conducted for two consecutive years (2019-2020). It was arranged in RCBD with three replications and treatment was rated for five levels of available soil moisture depletion (ASMD), where T1 = 60%, T2 = 80%, T3 = 100%, T4 = 120%, and T5 = 140% of ASMD. Analysis of variance has shown that yield and water use efficiency of sorghum crop was significantly (P &lt; 0.05) affected by irrigation scheduling. As observed in this study, the most economically attractive and environmentally accepted for small scale farmers with tolerable cost of production and higher net benefit was obtained by application of T3 (100% ASMD) under conventional furrow irrigation system. Therefore, for this particular sorghum crop (teshale variety), it could be concluded that increased water saving and water productivity through irrigation at 100% ASMD under conventional furrow irrigation system can solve the problem of water shortage and would ensure the opportunity of further irrigation development in the study area and similar agro-ecology. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 11(2): 95-102, Dec 2021

Yield and quality response of turmeric (Curcuma longa) under drip irrigation and plastic mulch

Turmeric is an important spice crop and popularly cultivated for high economic return due its multifaceted use in culinary, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.Drip irrigation with mulching proved as excellent method for water conservation along with yield increase in may horticultural crops. Therefore, a study on crop water requirement for turmeric crop was conducted during 2017-2018 at IIT Kharagpur experimental field. The study mainly aimed to determine the optimum water requirement of turmeric crops and the economic feasibility of drip irrigation for turmeric cultivation with or without applying black plastic mulch. Reference evapotranspiration was estimated using the FAO-56 Penman-Monteith equation. The experiment consisted of eight treatments with three replication three irrigation factors (100% irrigation requirement through a drip (DI), 80% DI, 60% DI and conventional furrow irrigation (FI)) and two subfactors of black plastic mulch (PM) and no mulch (NM). The effect of different water and plastic treatments were studied for crop growth, yield, and quality response. The response of the crop to different treatments for the consecutive 2 years showed that 100% DI along with plastic mulch treatments resulted in better growth parameters (plant height, stem girth, functional leaves, corn weight, corn size, and corn yield). The maximum yield was recorded under treatment 80% DI along with PM (16.64 t/ha) with an 85% increase in yield as compared to furrow irrigation (8.99 t/ha). The crop growth response under 100% DI along PM gives statistically at par growth parameters and crop yield. The cost economics of turmeric crop under 80% DI along with PM showed highest gross income (Rs. 1,66,400) and benefit-cost ratio (2.88) followed by the 100% DI with a net profit of Rs. 1,00,347 and B.C. ratio of 2.73. Therefore, it may be concluded that drip irrigation at 80% water requirement wi th black polyethylene mulch can be the best suited moisture conserving technique for turmeric with better yield and economic return at sandy loam soil in West Bengal.

Dry sowing reduced durum wheat performance under irrigated conservation agriculture

• First long-term experiment on tillage and sowing irrigation effects in durum wheat. • Dry sowing on permanent beds reduced plant stands. • Low plant stands did not (always) result in low yields. • Tillage and sowing irrigation effects on yield small compared to weather. • Split N application increased grain N content compared to basal N application. Permanent raised beds (PB) are a conservation agriculture option for irrigated conditions that can improve soil quality, increase soil moisture conservation and stabilize yields compared to conventional furrow irrigation. In irrigated wheat ( Triticum sp.) production, wet sowing (i.e. applying irrigation before sowing) is most widely used. It allows pre-sowing weed control but reduces sowing time flexibility. Dry sowing, i.e. applying irrigation after sowing, reduces options for weed control but improves water use efficiency and sowing time flexibility. This study evaluated the performance of durum wheat ( Triticum durum L.) under conventionally tilled (CTB) and PB with wet and dry sowing in northwestern Mexico. In those four tillage-sowing irrigation environments (ENV), five nitrogen (N) fertilization treatments were tested. Plant stand, grain yield, and grain quality were measured for ten years and fertilizer-based N use efficiency indices were assessed in three years. Plant stand, wheat yield and quality were significantly affected by ENV. The lowest plant stand and yield were found in PB-Dry sowing. On average, only 54 plants m -2 emerged in PB-Dry whereas 159 plants m -2 emerged in CTB-Wet. Plant stand showed high yearly fluctuations, with plant stand in dry sowing favored by lower reference evapotranspiration, with CTB-Dry favored more by high minimum temperature and PB-Dry by high maximum temperature. Yield ranged between 4.20 and 7.94 t ha -1 . Yield in PB-Dry was on average 0.35 to 0.50 t ha -1 lower than in the remaining ENV, but positive interactions between year and dry sowing systems were associated with high minimum temperatures at germination and tillering. N fertilization management affected wheat quality, but not wheat yield, possibly due to high levels of soil mineral N available at sowing that were not measured in this study. Split application of N increased grain N content compared to basal N application. Research should address reduced plant stands with dry sowing in conservation agriculture to find management options that improve wheat emergence. Further efforts to optimize N fertilizer management in PB are required to improve grain quality components.

English

Water is a vital resource to sustain civilizations and pecuniary development and most importantly agriculture. Agriculture is the main contributor to the Ethiopian economy. The field experiment was conducted at Werer Agricultural Research center to evaluate the effects of drip and furrow irrigation under different irrigation levels on maize water use efficiency. The experiment was laid out in an RCBD split-plot arrangement where drip and furrow irrigations were assigned as the main plot and irrigation levels (100, 85, 70, and 55% of ETc) were assigned in the subplot arrangement with three blocks. The highest seasonal water requirement of maize was 701.7 mm at 100% ETc under conventional furrow irrigation which is considered as control while the lowest was 321.6 mm at 55% ETc under alternative furrow irrigation. The interaction effects of irrigation systems and irrigation levels have shown a highly significant (p&lt;0.01) effect on water use efficiency. The highest (2.38 kg/m3) and the lowest (0.60kg/m3) water use efficiency were recorded from the plots treated with drip irrigation at 100% ETc and conventional furrow irrigation at 100% ETc treatments, respectively. In terms of water use efficiency and economic prominence, irrigating with a drip irrigation system with 100% ETc can be recommended for the production of maize in the study area. Key words: Agriculture, efficiency, irrigation, main plot, split plot.