Flood Irrigation System Research Articles

Performance evaluation of a modified axial flow water Lifting pump for small to medium irrigation in Nigeria.

Most irrigation pumps used in Nigeria are imported. Consequently, the challenges farmers faced in using these pumps include but not limited to the following; priming before operation, relatively low-capacity delivery at low head and high price which is often time not affordable by peasant farmers. The objective of this research was to develop an axial flow pump with locally sourced materials and affordable by farmers for small to medium scale irrigation in Nigeria. The design of the pump for the study was adopted from an existing and functioning axial pumping machine, developed by Agricultural Machinery and Mechatronics Department, Kasetsart University, Thailand. The pump was fabricated at the workshop of National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM), Ilorin, Nigeria. Diesel fuel was used in powering the pump because of higher torque deliverable. The developed pump based on its capacity can be used to irrigate one hectare in one hour at 16.2 mm depth of water using 2000 rpm at 1m head and 9.6 mm depth of water using 1000 rpm at 3 m head. The maximum water discharge of 162 m3/h (45 l/s) was at 1m using a speed of 2000 rpm with water to fuel delivery of 124.29 l/s. The maximum water discharge of 162 m3/h (45 l/s) was at 1m using a speed of 2000 rpm with water to fuel delivery of 119.57m3/L. And the least water discharge of 59.30 m3/h (28 l/s) and water delivery per fuel was 41.0m3/L at 3 m head at 1000 rpm. Therefore, the developed pump operates best at lower head of 1m featuring a 3kW prime mover. The developed pump based on its capacity can be used to irrigate one hectare in one hour at 16.2 mm depth of water using 2000rpm at 1m head and 9.6 mm depth of water using 1000rpm at 3m head at a moisture content of 45% on a sand-loamy soil. Statistical analysis reveals relationships between pump speed, head, fuel consumption, and various performance indicators. The centrifugal pumps were found to produce lower discharge than axial flow pumps at different water heads evaluated. Comparative economic analysis demonstrates the pump's superiority over conventional centrifugal pumps in terms of water-fuel delivery efficiency and operational cost. This study introduced a locally modified axial flow pump as a practical, cost-effective, and efficient solution to irrigation challenges faced by small and medium-scale farmers in Nigeria. This pump has higher capacity delivery, spare parts are readily available at local market, it is appropriate for use where the irrigation head requirements are low and large volumes of water is required to be lifted at low pressure, it is appropriate where water can be lifted from rivers and canals and then directed to farmers' fields for irrigation. It is also applicable in rice farm flooding and flood drainage. This type of pump is good for flood (surface) irrigation system, which include furrow, border, basin irrigation and uncontrolled flooding in loamy and clay soils for rice production and sugarcane productions. The pump's adoption and economic viability positions it as a potential catalyst for increased food production, income, and food security in the country.

Analysis of energy input-output in direct seeded and transplantation cultivation of rice under different irrigation systems

Energy input-output assessment for crop production processes is becoming increasingly important due to increased energy demand. This study explored the energy consumption for puddled transplanted (PTR), un-puddled transplanted (UPTR), and direct-seeded rice (DSR) cultivation methods under sprinkler, flood and drip irrigation systems in Golestan province, Iran, during 2019 and 2020. The energy of inputs and outputs were calculated using energy equivalents. Then, using input energy values, the global warming potential (GWP) was determined based on the equivalent of carbon dioxide (CO2). According to the results, the highest amount of yield was obtained for permanent flood irrigation with PTR. The results of mean comparison of cultivation method showed that the highest and lowest amounts of energy input were obtained for PTR (32418 MJ/ha) and UPTR (28175 MJ/ha), respectively. Also, the amounts of indices of energy use efficiency (EUE), energy productivity (EP) and net energy (NE) in DSR were lower than transplanted treatments. The results of mean comparison showed that the lowest amount of GWP was related to UPTR. The results of this study showed that drip irrigation with UPTR cultivation (due to less energy input and a yield close to PTR) can be a technology to save water and energy.

Riding the wetland wave: Can ducks locate macroinvertebrate resources across the breeding season?

Food availability varies considerably over space and time in wetland systems, and consumers must be able to track those changes during energetically-demanding points in the life cycle like breeding. Resource tracking has been studied frequently among herbivores, but receives less attention among consumers of macroinvertebrates. We evaluated the change in resource availability across habitat types and time and the simultaneous density of waterfowl consumers throughout their breeding season in a high-elevation, flood-irrigated system. We also assessed whether the macroinvertebrate resource density better predicted waterfowl density across habitats, compared to consistency (i.e., temporal evenness) of the invertebrate resource or taxonomic richness. Resource density varied marginally across wetland types but was highest in basin wetlands (i.e., ponds) and peaked early in the breeding season, whereas it remained relatively low and stable in other wetland habitats. Breeding duck density was positively related to resource density, more so than temporal resource stability, for all species. Resource density was negatively related to duckling density, however. These results have the potential to not only elucidate mechanisms of habitat selection among breeding ducks in flood-irrigated landscapes but also suggest there is not a consequential trade-off to selecting wetland sites based on energy density versus temporal resource stability and that good-quality wetland sites provide both.

Variable Irrigation Phasing and Establishment Techniques in Chickpea (Cicer areitinum L.) under Sprinkler and Flood Irrigation System in Tarai Region of Uttarakhand

Variable Irrigation Phasing and Establishment Techniques in Chickpea (Cicer areitinum L.) under Sprinkler and Flood Irrigation System in Tarai Region of Uttarakhand

Phenology, gas exchange, biomass accumulation, and irrigated rice yield under alternative irrigation managements

AbstractIn Brazil, rice production is predominantly concentrated in the South region, employing a continuous flood irrigation system throughout the crop cycle. However, this irrigation management strategy in the tropical region contributes to low water‐use efficiency owing to adverse climatic conditions. Furthermore, with climate change projections indicating reduced water availability, the study aims to investigate the impact of alternative irrigation management strategies on the phenological development, gas exchange, biomass accumulation, and productivity of tropical irrigated rice. Three alternative irrigation management approaches—intermittent flood irrigation with aeration (IFA), intermittent flood irrigation throughout the growth cycle (IFC), and intermittent flooding up to the flowering stage (IFF)—were compared with the traditional continuous flood irrigation throughout the growth cycle. Phenological data, gas exchange, growth, and productivity dynamics were subject to analysis, providing overarching insights into management practices. Notably, irrigation management exhibited no influence on the vegetative phase of the crop. The implementation of intermittent flood irrigation facilitated a reduction in water supply without compromising the physiological performance of tropical irrigated rice. Strategies promoting judicious water utilization, such as IFA and IFC, can be readily integrated into the cultivation of tropical irrigated rice without detriment to grain yield or harvest index.

English

Maize crop is being attacked by numerous insect pests including borers which result in yield losses. Repeated use of similar insecticides resulted in resistance development in maize stem borer. The current research trial was executed to find out the lethal impacts of Chlorantraniliprole 0.4% G, Carbofuran 3 G, Fipronil 0.3% G, Cartap hydrochloride 4%G, Thimet and Monomehypo against Chilo partellus (S.). Results of insect pest infestation showed that maximum infestation (25.87%) was noted in check plot whereas lowest (2.93%) was recorded in case of Chlorantraniliprole 0.4% G, Carbofuran 3 G was the next effective one (6.17%) followed by Fipronil 0.3% G (8.44%), Cartap hydrochloride 4%G (12.02%), Monomihypo (13.98%) and Thimet 5%G (15.08%). In case of dead-heart production, maximum dead heart (20.41%) were observed in control plot while lowermost (1.26%) in Chlorantraniliprole 0.4% G treated plot. Highest reduction in plant infestation (88.69%) over control was noticed in case of Chlorantraniliprole 0.4% G followed by Carbofuran 3 G (76.13%), Fipronil 0.3% G (67.38%), Cartap hydrochloride 4%G (53.50%), Monomihypo (46.18%) and Thimet 5%G (41.72%). In case of months of the study, maximum infestation (%) was noted during the month of August compared to July and September. Crop water productivity was highest (2.58 kg/m3) in the case of Chlorantraniliprole 0.4% G treated plots, while a comparatively low (1.29 kg m-3) was noted in the case of Thimat 5% treated plots under drip irrigation system but was superior to control plot (1.29 kg m-3) under flood irrigation system Overall results disclosed that all the insecticidal treatments sustained their supremacy over check plot in reducing infestation of C. partellus and Chlorantraniliprole 0.4% G was the best among the tested insecticides against C. partellus.

EFFECT OF IRRIGATION SYSTEMS ON RICE PRODUCTIVITY

In light of the scarcity of irrigation water, extreme wastage of water, saline soils, and the dominance of traditional water management methods, the presented research transpired in 2020 in the Directorate of Agriculture, ALHashimiya area, Hilla City, Iraq. The latest study aimed to investigate the effects of subsurface drip irrigation system (SDIS) and flood irrigation system (FIS), with three drip irrigation distances of 18, 20, and 22 cm on two rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars, i.e., ‘Tarm Hashemi’ (TH) and ‘Daillman Mazandarani’ (DM). The irrigation systems (SDIS and FIS) significantly impacted the growth and productivity traits of the rice crop. The SDIS ensures the addition of an appropriate amount of water to the plants by keeping wet the root zone without wasting water compared with the flood irrigation system. The interaction of rice cultivar Tarm Hashemi, SDIS, and drip irrigation distance (DID of 18 cm) resulted in the best performance for root growth traits, i.e., root length and root fresh and dry weight (17.66 cm and 1.80 and 0.85 g, respectively). It also provided the highest plant vigor index (PVI), biological, and grain yield (71.15 cm, 1,747.23, and 608.26 g.m-2, respectively). Cultivar Tarm Hashemi proved superior to cultivar Daillman Mazandarani in managing the morpho-yield traits. The subsurface drip irrigation system during the growing season helped increase the productivity of the rice crop compared with the traditional irrigation system. Compared with FIS, the SDIS not only improved and enhanced the growth and grain yield, but also saved abundant water and nutrients.

Experimental Evaluation of Irrigation Methods for Yield, Water Productivity, and Economics of Paddy-Wheat Cropping System under Conservation Agriculture

Irrigation methods have critical role in increasing the water productivity and crop production under paddy-wheat cropping systems. An experiment was carried out at Ludhiana, Punjab, India, in a randomized block design with eight treatments on drip and flood irrigation systems under conventional and conservation agricultural practices. Under conservation agriculture practice, drip irrigation had six treatments with different combinations of dripline spacing × emitter spacing × dripline depth as 675 × 300 × 0 mm (T1), 450 × 400 × 0 mm (T2), 675 × 300 × 150 mm (T3), 450 × 400 × 150 mm (T4), 675 × 300 × 200 mm (T5), 450 × 400 × 200 mm (T6). The treatments on conventional flood irrigation method included crop cultivation under farmer’s practice (T7) and under conservation agriculture practice (T8). The treatment T4 recorded significantly higher grain yield of wheat (6.522 t.ha-1) and paddy (8.178 t.ha-1) and water productivity (3.73, 1.20 kg.m-3, respectively. In the root zone of both wheat and paddy crops, the drip irrigation systems recorded lowest soil moisture variation within 0-450 mm soil depth under treatment T4 (4.33% to 9.77%), while it was highest under T7 (10.38% to 40.41%). The treatment T4 also showed water saving of 55.3% over the conventional flood irrigation method under paddy-wheat cropping system. In economic terms, the treatment T4 performed better with a benefit-cost ratio of 3.15 under the condition that 95% subsidy is availed on cost of drip irrigation system.

Cascade Reservoirs: An Exploration of Spatial Runoff Storage Sites for Water Harvesting and Mitigation of Climate Change Impacts, Using an Integrated Approach of GIS and Hydrological Modeling

Torrents play an essential role in water resources through rainfall in arid to semi-arid mountainous regions, serving large populations worldwide, and are also crucial in maintaining the downstream environment. The natural flows (floods, ephemeral flows) in arid hill regions result in potential hydrological fluctuations caused by climate change. However, the feasibility of eventual storage in remote hilly catchments would force a more sudden change. The current study was conducted in the lower part of the Khirthar National Range in the Sindh province of Pakistan, with the aim to explore spatial runoff storage sites for sustainable development to mitigate the impacts of climate change in arid areas. In total, 83 years of precipitation data were used to estimate water availability, along with satellite imagery for LULC pre- and post-monsoon conditions, delineation of watersheds, and identification of potential runoff storage locations and return periods, using Remote Sensing (RS)/Geographical Information System (GIS) 10.5.1, HEC-HMS 3.1, and Origin Pro 9.0 for statistical approaches. The model delineated two potential watersheds: Goth Sumar, covering an area of 61.0456 km2, wherein ten cascading reservoirs were identified, and Goth Baro, covering an area of 14,236 km2, wherein two cascading reservoirs were identified. Different storage capacities were determined for the cascade-type reservoirs. The maximum live volumetric potential storage of the reservoirs varies from 0.25 to 1.32 million cubic meters (MCM) in the villages of Baro and Sumar. The return periods have been estimated at 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, and 75 years, corresponding to 12.35, 16.47, 21.43, 21.72, 25.21, and 40.53 MCM for Goth Sumar, while Goth Baro’s storage capacity has been estimated at 2.88, 3.84, 5.00, 5.06, 5.88, and 9.45 MCM, respectively. All results obtained were authenticated using accuracy assessment, validation, and sensitivity analysis. The proposed potential storage sites were recommended for a planning period of five years. The live storage capacity of the identified cascade reservoirs can be improved by raising the marginal banks and developing the spillways to control inlet and outlet flow in order to maintain internal pressure on the reservoir banks. The stored water can be used for climate-friendly agricultural activities to increase crop production and productivity. The proposed study area has extensive experience with flood irrigation systems and rainwater harvesting to sustain agriculture due to rainfall being the only water resource (WR) in the region. However, the study area has enormous potential for surface runoff WRs, especially during the rainy season (monsoon); the current 2022 monsoon is showing flooding. The modeling approaches of Remote Sensing, GIS, and HEC-HMS play an important role in delineating watershed areas, developing hydrographs, and simulating water availability for different return periods by minimizing cost and time.

Spring Water Management to Ensure Long Term Sustainability in North-Eastern Regions of India

Spring water is the lifeline of the Himalayan communities. They depend on it for drinking and household use and farming. In recent decades, the region has been facing acute water shortage in the lean period due to climatic variabilities, especially rainfall. The rainfall pattern has changed from low-intensity, longer duration to high-density, shorter duration, which causes the “too little and too much water” syndrome. Rainwater does not have sufficient time to infiltrate due to high reliefs and undulating terrains. As a result, quick runoff dominates the region, reducing groundwater recharge and health. Springs also contribute to the base flow of many rivers in the region. The changing land use and land cover is another issue in water management, and the different studies indicate that deforestation, forest fire, mounting tourist spots, rapidly growing towns, and development activities reduce the infiltration capacity. In this region, most rural populations are completely dependent on perennial springs and streams for water needs such as drinking, agriculture, livestock feeding, and other household consumption. It is noticed that sudden water scarcity and demand increased during the non-monsoon period, which is uncertain for the long-term sustainability of the human population in the region. Hence, different water-saving techniques must be adopted to sustain this water scarcity condition at the household level and in irrigation practices. This can be achieved by bringing awareness of different water minimizing and saving techniques at the community level. Also, implementing a highly efficient irrigation system during the lean period instead of a flood irrigation system such as gravity-fed drip irrigation, bamboo drip irrigation, and pitcher irrigation is recommended.

Split Nitrogen Application Rates for Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Yield and Grain N Using the CSM-CERES-Wheat Model

Crop simulation models can be effective tools to assist with optimization of resources for a particular agroecological zone. The goal of this study was to determine the influence of N rates with different timing of application to wheat crop using prominent varieties using the CSM-CERES-Wheat model of the decision support system for agrotechnology transfer (DSSAT). Data were focused for yield traits, i.e., number of tillers, number of grains, grain weight, grain yield, biomass, and grain N content. To test the applicability of the CSM-CERES-Wheat version 4.7.5 model for agroclimatic conditions of Peshawar, Pakistan, experimental data from two years of experiments (2016–17 and 2017–18) were used for model calibration and evaluation. The simulation results of two years agreed well with field measured data for three commercial varieties. The model efficiency (R2) for wheat varieties was above 0.94 for variables tiller number per unit area (m−2), number of grains (m−2) and number of grains (spike−1), 1000 grain weight (mg), biomass weight (kg ha−1), grain yield (kg ha−1), and harvest N content (kg ha−1). Statistics of cultivars indicated that yield traits, yield, and N can be simulated efficiently for agroecological conditions of Peshawar. Moreover, different N rates and application timings suggested that the application of 140 kg N ha−1 with triple splits timings, i.e., 25% at the sowing, 50% at the tillering, and 25% at the booting stage of the crop, resulted in the maximum yield and N recovery for different commercial wheat varieties. Simulated N losses, according to the model, were highly determined by leaching for experimental conditions where a single N application of 100% or existing double splits timing was applied. The study concluded that 140 kg N ha−1 is most appropriate for wheat crop grown on clay loam soils under a flood irrigation system. However, the N fertilizer has to be given in triple splits of a 1:2:1 ratio at the sowing, tillering, and booting stages of the crop growth.

Utilization of Smart Irrigation for Different Irrigation Systems on the Growth and Production of Different Rice Cultivars

A field experiment was conducted at one of the research stations of the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences / University of Baghdad for the summer agricultural season of 2021, to evdluate the utilization of smart irrigation systems with dry planting and its impact on the growth and production of three local rice cultivar treatment. for irrigation systems in cluded: subsurface and surface drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, and flood irrigation, and three local cultivar treatment of rice Anber 33, Jasmine and Furat were studied. The characters studied were irrigation system capacity, irrigation system efficiency, plant height, and rice yield. The experiment was carried out using a nested design, according to a randomized complete block design RCBD with three replications .The results were statistically analyzed and the least significant difference LSD was used at the level of 0.05 to compare the averages of the treatments. The results indicate that the surface drip irrigation system outperformed in obtaining the highest dripping discharge stood 3.03 l. h-1. subsurface irrigation system obtained the highest irrigation efficiency stood 93.0%. The flood irrigation system obtained the highest plant height stood 80.66 cm and the highest yield reached stood 3.424 tons ha-1. The Anber 33 cultivar achieved the highest irrigation flow in the flood irrigation that reached stood 114.4 l. h-1, the highest irrigation efficiency achieved by Furat cultivar which was stood 82.2%, and the Anbar 33 cultivar treatment achieved the highest plant height of 91.67 cm and the highest yield stood 3.873 tons ha-1. Jasmine cultivar treatment the highest discharge in the sprinkler irrigation capacity was stood 23.28 l. h-1, the highest discharge in the hydraulic dripper was stood 3.04 l. h-1. The two-way interaction between the flood irrigation system and Anber 33 cultivar treatment achieved the highest plant height stood 110.7 cm and the highest yield stood 4.043 tons. ha-1.. The sub-surface drip irrigation system in the Anbar 33 cultivar treatment achieved the highest irrigation efficiency of 93.6%. the surface drip irrigation system in the Anbar 33 cultivar treatment achieved the highest discharge of drippers which reached 3.05 l . h-1. Subsurface drip irrigation in Jasmine cultivar treatment achieved the highest dripping discharge stood 3.05 l. h -1.

Wireless Sensor Network System for Precision Irrigation using Soil and Plant Based Near-Real Time Monitoring Sensors

Real-time monitoring for precision irrigation using wireless technologies is crucial to combat surplus irrigation and reduce the climate change effect on water use efficiency. Variations in sap-flow and volumetric water contents (VWC) were investigated on date palm trees of Al Naghal (Phoenix dactylifera L.) in water scare countries using traditional flood and modern drip irrigation systems. Daily SF rates and VWC were tracked in connection to weather conditions. The results showed that the meteorological parameters that affected SF rates were noted with order temperature (T) > net solar-radiations (Rn) > vapor-pressure-deficit (VPD) > wind-speed for two consecutive years, 2015 and 2016 (U). Daytime fluctuations in Rn and temperature resulted in the highest SF rates between 12:00 and 14:00, decreasing relative trends between 18:00 and 23:00, and high volumetric water contents. SF rates were used to determine the plant's water condition and environmental challenges. Under highly drought conditions, the variety (Al-Naghal) demonstrated its aptitude, stability, and consistency. The actual water use efficiency explored with 80.6% and 71.4% at aflaj and modern irrigation systems, respectively, was determined by soil and plant-based monitoring, yielding accurate quantities of 17.5 and 12 liters/day at aflaj and modern irrigation systems, respectively. It has exposed the actual plant transpiration, and irrigation water requirement used to inaugurate precision irrigation systems in the arid regions.

A Review of Engineering-Orgware Factors in the Project of Huai River Management Early after the Founding of the PRC (1950—1957)

During the early days of New China (1950—1957), a relatively complete flood control, drainage,and irrigation system in the Huai River was established by the central government without adequate engineering-hardware and engineering-software, including financial and material resources as well as technology and equipment. In this process, the engineering orgware factors, including the engineering concept of "the balance of flood storage and drainage" , engineering organization mode of "pool resources to address major problems" , and engineering values of "people-centered" , offset the weaknesses of engineering-hardware and engineering-software. Under the background of major change that is rarely seen in a century and the modernization of China’s governance system and capacity, by digging into the decision-making and implementation process of the Project of Huai River Management in that era, the positive functions of engineering-orgware can be examined to clarify which are helpful to accurately grasp the historical mission and significance of engineering construction and development in the New Era.

Vegetative growth, yield, and fruit quality of guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv. Maamoura as affected by some biostimulants

The present study was performed during two successive seasons 2019 and 2020 to investigate the effect of the soil application of fulvic acid (FA), seaweed extract (SE), and their different combinations on vegetative growth, yield, and fruit quality of six-years-old guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv. ‘Maamoura’. The trees were planted 4 × 4 m2 apart in clay soil under a flood irrigation system. They were treated three times starting from mid-March with one-month intervals with the following treatments: Control (water only), 3 and 4 g/L FA, 3 and 4 g/L SE, and their different combinations; 3 g/L FA + 3 g/L SE, 3 g/L FA + 4 g/L SE, 4 g/L FA + 3 g/L SE, and 4 g/L FA + 4 g/L SE. The results clearly showed that the application of FA or SE solely or in combinations increased shoot length and diameter, as well as leaf chlorophyll compared with the control. The treatments also increased fruit set percentage, fruit yield, and fruit physical and chemical characteristics such as fruit weight, size, TSS%, total reduced and non-reduced sugars, as well as leaf mineral content, while they decreased the fruit acidity compared with the control in the two seasons.

English

Nitrogen use efficiency under flood irrigation system is generally low (30%) in field crops, which is one of the fundamental factors of high production cost in the developing countries. Optimum rate and timing of N-application is otherwise important to harvest good quality grain for backing in the recent climate change scenario. Optimum N-rate (NAR) corresponds with the application timing (NAT) has resulted in good quality grains. Aim of the study was to focus on spring wheat grain quality and N use efficiency (NUE) with NAR {i.e., 0, 100, 120, 140 and 160 kg ha-1) and NAT (i.e., 100% at sowing (NAR1), 50% at sowing and 50% at tillering (NAT2), 25% at sowing, 50% at tillering and 25% at booting (NAT3) and 25% at sowing, 25% at tillering and 50% at booting (NAT4)}. Treatment impacts were investigated focusing grain yield, grain-N, and quality parameters (i.e., crude protein, gluten, amylose and amylopectin). Experiment was a randomized complete block, in three replications, conducted at Agronomy Res. Farm of the University of Agric. Peshawar in 2016-17 and repeated in 2017-18. Results showed the highest NUE in100 kg N ha-1, followed by a decreasing rate (p<0.05) for every next N-increment. While averaged on N-rates, the highest NUE observed in NAT3 which did not differ fromNAT4 but decreased (p<0.05) for treatment NAT2 with lowest for theNAT1. Pakhtunkhuwa-2015 showed higher NUE among the varieties. Grain-N, grain yield, gluten and amylose did not differ with NAR 140 and 160 kg ha-1 as well as for the NAT3 and NAT4 but decreased for NAT2 and the lowest was noted for NAT1. The N-content of wheat grain was highest in Pakhtunkhuwa-2015, followed by Pirsabak-2015 and the lowest in DN-84. Nonetheless, grain amylopectin showed a reduction with increasing NAR and/or split N-applications from one to two and/or three doses. Cultivars did not show any changes in the amylopectin. It is concluded that in recent climate changes where flood irrigation system is practiced, three N-splits (NAT3 or NAT4) resulted higher quality grains with140 kg N ha-1 to wheat crop

THE BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF FERTILIZERS BY USING NATURAL AND BIO-FERTILIZERS ON VEGETATIVE GROWTH AND FRUITING OF BALADY MANDARIN

This study included was conducted during 2017 and 2018 seasons on 21-year- old Balady mandarin trees (Citrus reticulata) budded on sour orange rootstock grown, to investigate the possibility of reducing the amount of mineral fertilizers by using organic and biofertilizers of Balady Mandarin trees. Trees planted at 5x5 meters, grown in clay loam with and irrigated by flood irrigation system. Seven fertilization treatments were applied as follows: 100% mineral NPK fertilizers (control), 100% organic fertilizers (enrichment compost with two natural rocks, rock phosphate and feldspar), 100% biofertilizers (nitrobien, phosphorien and potassiumag), 50% mineral fertilizers + 50% organic fertilizers, 50% mineral fertilizers + 50% biofertilizers, 50% organic fertilizers + 50% biofertilizers and 33.3% mineral fertilizers + 33.3% organic fertilizers + 33.3% biofertilizers. The results indicated that there is a possibility of using organic and biofertilizers as a partial substitute of mineral fertilizers. As this study confirmed the application of mineral, organic and bio-fertilizers at equal ratios (1:1:1) was the best management system for ensuring the best vegetative growth traits, achieving the highest yield with its components, improving the physical and chemical characteristics of fruits and increasing leaf mineral content of Balady Mandarin trees.

Nitrate distribution pattern under conventional and trickle irrigation system

Nitrate is a highly mobile ions that moves with water. So that nitrate distribution around the driplines is strongly affected by irrigation and fertigation strategy. Nitrate movement under conventional flood irrigation system was observed 2 to 3.5 times faster as compared with trickle irrigation as well as NO3 "-N concentrations exceeded the threshold limit (i.e. 10 mg l-1) under traditional irrigation method, while stayed below the threshold limit under micro irrigation methods. Nitrate distribution was influenced by hydraulic properties, drip discharge rate, soil layering, timing of nutrient application and irrigation frequency. To maintain larger amounts of nutrient nearby emitter in highly permeable coarse-textured soils, nutrients must be applied at the starting of an irrigation cycle so that it is less susceptible to leaching losses. Study revealed that higher transpiration raised the NO3-N uptake by the plats. The study also revealed that urea moves promptly with irrigation water and urea–ammonium–nitrate fertilizer increased the nitrate concentration, near the drip line immediately after the drip fertigation due to the nitrification, while low concentrations was found near the periphery of the wetting zone.

Impact of Herosten at Different Concentrations on Productivity and Fruit Quality of Williams Banana

The present investigation was conducted on an experimental farm at the El-Kanater Horticultural Research Station in Qayubeia Governorate, Egypt during the 2018 and 2019 experimental seasons. The banana Williams cultivar were plant materials for this research, grown in clay loamy soil and the mates (plantation holes) were 3×4 meters apart under the flood irrigation system. Anyhow, Herosten the commercial name was the source of auxin used in this investigation. This compound contains (1.5 % NAA; 1.5 NAD and 1.5 % NAO), sprinkles were added sprinkles monthly five times during the period from first July to first November at a rate of 0.25, 0.375, 0.50 and 0.625 g per liter. Taking into consideration that sprays treatments were applied covering the whole bunch of each plant, whereas 0.5 liters was found to be sufficient in this concern to study the effect of different concentrations of Herosten sprays on productivity and fruit quality of Williams banana plants. Definitively, it can be shown from the results obtained that, spraying of Williams banana plants grown under similar environmental conditions and horticulture practices adopted in the current experiment with Herosten (auxin) at 0.375 g per liter and/or Herosten (auxin) at 0.50 g per liter is a beneficial method for enhancing production and fruit quality. In comparison, the lowest values of most of the parameters under investigation were typically associated with the control (water spray).

Does furrow irrigation system improve yield and water use efficiency of Kinnow mandarin (citrus reticulate blanco)?

In Pakistan, orchards are irrigated using flood irrigation system that is considered sub-economical regarding water use efficiency. Considering the importance of natural water resources, there was a need to devise the method of applying irrigation water that would save water consumption, environmentally friendly and easily adopted by the growers. Thus, a research trial was conducted at Citrus Research Institute, Sargodha, Pakistan on 0.41 ha area of Kinnow mandarin. The total area was divided into two parts, half of the area was used for furrow irrigation system and the remaining half was used for flood irrigation system. Tensiometers were installed in the soil in furrow and flood irrigation system to assess the moisture condition in the soil. Irrigations were applied when tensiometer readings reached 40 centibars. The quantity of water used for irrigation was measured with a flume meter and then percentage of water saving was calculated. The study revealed that furrow irrigation system significantly improved the number of fruits per tree (1153), fruit yield (179.89 kg per plant) and juice percentage (48.38%) compared with flood irrigation system where the number of fruits per tree were711, fruit yield was 110.61 kg per plant and juice percentage was 46.31%. However, TSS/acidity ratio, and peel and rag percentage were not affected by the different irrigation systems. In furrow irrigation system 24 irrigations were applied per year with average water saving of 46.14% and water use efficiency (WUE) was 4.58 kg m-3 whereas in flood irrigation system average numbers of irrigations were 15 per year and WUE was 2.34 kg m-3only. Therefore, furrow irrigation system is recommended for the citrus growers to improve the water use efficiency, yield and fruit quality of Kinnow mandarin.