Irrigation Management Practices Research Articles

The Impacts of Planting Patterns Combined with Irrigation Management Practices on Watermelon Growth, Photosynthesis, and Yield.

(1) Background: Crop yields in China's arid and semi-arid regions are limited by water shortages. Exploring the interactions and resource utilization among agroforestry species is key to maintaining diversified agricultural production. (2) Objective: An apple-watermelon agroforestry system and watermelon sole-cropping system were compared to quantify how resource availability (light, water) and watermelon performance (leaf photosynthetic rate, growth, and yield) change with irrigation strategies. (3) Methods: A three-year apple and watermelon field experiment was conducted in a young apple orchard in the arid area of central Ningxia to test the effect of light competition and irrigation systems on light environment, leaf photosynthetic rate, plant growth, and yield in watermelon. The experiment encompassed two planting patterns: (i) apple-watermelon agroforestry (AF) and watermelon sole-cropping (SC) and (ii) three irrigation quotas (W1: 105 mm, W2: 210 mm, and W3: 315 mm). (4) Results: The results show that the agroforestry planting pattern extended the growth period of watermelon and increased the leaf area index. Mean daily shade intensity increased by 16.02% from 2020 to 2022. The land equivalent ratio (LER) was >1 in 2021 and 2022. The SWC, leaf photosynthetic rate, LAI, and yield of watermelon in an agroforestry planting pattern were lower than when in a sole-cropping planting pattern. However, under the W1 irrigation strategy, the total soluble solids of the agroforestry planting pattern were 2.27% higher than those of the sole-cropping pattern, and the yield of the agroforestry planting pattern was 2.59% higher than that of the sole-cropping pattern. Under the W3 irrigation strategy, the average watermelon weight in the agroforestry planting pattern was 2.85% higher than that of the sole-cropping pattern. A path analysis showed that the agroforestry planting pattern can increase the yield by increasing soil water content, which is different from the sole-cropping pattern. (5) Conclusions: The results confirm that the apple-watermelon agroforestry planting pattern reduced watermelon yields. However, the LER of the agroforestry system was greater than 1.0. It is reasonable to plant watermelons in young apple forests.

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

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

Multi-Scale Contextual Swin Transformer for Crop Image Segmentation

Combining UAV-based remote sensing with deep learning for image segmentation is a particularly innovative and effective technology in modern agriculture. This approach allows for detailed and precise analysis of agricultural fields, such as crop monitoring, yield prediction, and irrigation management, enhancing decision-making and farm management practices. Inspired by the recent advancements of Transformers in computer vision, this paper introduces the Multi-Scale Contextual Swin Transformer (MSC-Swin), a novel model for precise segmentation of UAV crop images. MSC-Swin innovatively combines a Swin Transformer architecture for detailed feature extraction with pooling operations to utilize multi-scale contextual information. Our extensive experimentation demonstrates that MSC-Swin not only achieves state-of-the-art performance on the Barley Remote Sensing dataset, with a record mIoU of 86.4% on the test set, but also exhibits robustness and excellent generalizability.

The impacts of planting patterns combined with irrigation management practices on soil water content, watermelon yield and quality

The impacts of planting patterns combined with irrigation management practices on soil water content, watermelon yield and quality

Deficit irrigation strategy to sustain available water resources using guar

The gradual depletion of irrigation water is a major threat to the agricultural economy in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Drought–tolerant crops and improved irrigation management practices may help the sustainability of agriculture in the region. A three–year field experiment (2018–2020) was conducted to assess the effects of pre–and in–season irrigations on the physiology, biomass production, yield, and yield components of two diverse guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) cultivars. A split-split plot design was used, where the main plot was pre–irrigation, subplots consisted of in–season irrigation treatments, and sub-sub plots were cultivars. Each treatment was replicated four times each year. Pre–irrigation improved the averaged final seed yield by 32% compared to plots with no pre–irrigation. Seed yield was significantly affected by in–season growth stage based irrigation treatments. Averaged over the years, full irrigation achieved the highest seed yield, although not significantly different from no irrigation during the vegetative growth stage in any study year. Cultivar Kinman performed better than Monument in biomass production and seed yield. Overall, pre–irrigation improves guar growth and development, leading to greater seed yield and biomass production. The most sustainable strategy to utilize the available water resources will be to grow guar with restricted irrigation during the vegetative growth stage, save 22% of water, and maintain a similar seed yield to plots that received irrigation throughout the crop season.

Methane emission from transplanted rice cultivation through irrigation and fertilizer management practices

Methane emission from transplanted rice cultivation through irrigation and fertilizer management practices

Effects of Different Irrigation Management and Nitrogen Rate on Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) Growth, Yield and Soil Nitrogen Accumulation with Drip Irrigation

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) has emerged as a pivotal global food crop. Consequently, it is imperative to explore sustainable and eco-friendly strategies to achieve sustainable sorghum production with a high yield. This study aimed to reveal the effects of irrigation management and nitrogen rates and their interactions on sorghum growth traits, yield and soil nitrate-N and ammonium-N accumulation to improve irrigation and nitrogen practices under drip irrigation. A 2-year (2021 and 2022) field experiment was conducted on drip-irrigated fertilized sorghum in Heilongjiang Province to investigate the effects of three lower levels of soil moisture (80% (HI), 70% (NI), and 60% (LI) of field capacity) with four nitrogen rates at 225, 150, 75 and 0 kg/ha (designated as HN, NN, LN and WN, respectively) on sorghum growth, yield and soil nitrogen accumulation. The results indicated that irrigation management and nitrogen rate interaction had a significant effect on sorghum growth (plant height, stem diameter, leaf area index (LAI), and SPAD value), yield, aboveground biomass and 0~60 cm soil nitrogen accumulation (p < 0.05). The NNHI treatment demonstrated the highest plant height (120.9 and 121.8 cm) and LAI (2.738 and 2.645) in 2021 and 2022, and there was a significant positive correlation between plant height, LAI, and yield (p < 0.01). However, the NNNI treatment exhibited the highest yield (7477.41 and 7362.27 kg/ha) in 2021 and 2022, sorghum yield increased and then decreased with an increase in irrigation management and nitrogen rate. In addition, soil nitrate-N and ammonium-N accumulation were significantly affected by the interaction of irrigation management and nitrogen rate (p < 0.05) while irrigation management had no significant effect on the accumulation of nitrate-N and ammonium-N. Soil nitrate-N and ammonium-N accumulation increased with the increasing nitrogen rate. Although yield differences between the NNNI and HNNI treatments were not significant, the NNNI treatment with a lower soil moisture limit of 70% field capacity and a nitrogen rate of 150 kg/ha accumulated 10.4% less nitrate-N in soil than the HNNI treatment, reduced risk of nitrate nitrogen leaching. The regression analysis indicated that the optimal irrigation management and nitrogen rate management practices of 71.93% of the soil moisture lower limit and 144.58 kg/ha of nitrogen rate was an optimal strategy for favorable sorghum growth, high-yielding and low soil nitrate-N accumulation of sorghum. This study provides a scientific reference for precise water and fertilizer management in sorghum.

Persistence and disadoption of sustainable agricultural practices in the Mississippi Delta region

AbstractThe working lands programs in the United States are specifically tailored to support farmers in initiating or enhancing conservation practices. The expectation is that farmers receiving financial assistance will continue implementing these practices even after their initial contracts end, thereby increasing the programs’ cost‐effectiveness and promoting natural resources conservation. However, little is known about the likelihood of persistence and disadoption of conservation practices once the initial cost‐share contracts expire. Using the first‐order Markov chain framework on state‐level conservation practices acreage data from the Mississippi Delta region (2005–2022), this study provides quantitative estimates of changing (dis)adoption patterns of four conservation practices: cover crops (CCs), conservation tillage (CT), nutrient and irrigation management (NIM), and conservation crop rotation (CCR). The findings reveal a higher probability of persistence of NIM practices. In contrast, acres devoted to CCs and CT tend to transition into other alternative practices, indicating a greater likelihood of disadoption. Importantly, the likelihood of acres that initially adopt conservation practices with funding shifting to a condition of no conservation activity is minimal. The transition probability estimates facilitate the prediction of future adoption rates of conservation practices and aid funding agencies in prioritizing their conservation efforts.

Surge irrigation modeling and scenario analyses for the best furrow irrigation management practices

Furrow irrigation with surge flow is a management strategy to improve irrigation performance compared to furrow irrigation with continuous flow. Successful management of surge irrigation corresponds to accurate field practices that depend on different flow hydraulic parameters that make it complex in practice. However, because of this complexity, very few surge infiltration models have been developed. So far, no study has been done to evaluate infiltration equations subject to different surge irrigation modelling concepts under field surge irrigation scenarios. This study investigates two surge infiltration equations of Modified Kostiakov-Lewies (MKL) and Branch Function (BF) using WinSRFR that is the only modelling tool to simulate surge irrigation by using two surge infiltration modelling concepts of Blair-Smerdon (BS) and Izuno-Podmore (IP). Field data were collected on different combinations of two furrow lengths (70 m and 90 m; open-end furrows), two inflow rates (0.4 l s−1 and 0.6 l s−1), and two cycle ratios (0.5 and 0.33). Field measurements confirmed that switching from continuous to surge irrigation significantly improved irrigation performance. Evaluation of the surge infiltration modeling concepts showed that IP had higher accuracy in simulating irrigation performance compared to BS. The MKL(IP) and BF(IP) had the highest accuracy in the simulation of advance time, infiltrated water depth, and runoff. Further analyses showed that decreasing the cycle ratio from 0.5 to 0.33 improved simulation accuracy in advance time, runoff, and irrigation performance, but it reduced the accuracy of simulated infiltrated water depth. Increasing the inflow rate from 0.4 l s−1 to 0.6 l s−1 decreased the accuracy of irrigation performance. However, field observations were only under a limited number of furrow lengths and inflow rates that might not be the best management field practices to increase irrigation performance. Scenario analyses were done to simulate irrigation performance under a combination of possible irrigation managements. The optimal irrigation scenario consisted of adjusting the different inflow rate (0.5–1.2 l s−1), furrow length (100–300 m), cutoff time (360–600 min), and on-time (20–60 min). Results show that using cutoff 360 min and on-time 60 min led to reducing deep percolation and runoff and increasing the distribution uniformity. Based on the scenario analyses for the most efficient irrigation performance in terms of irrigation efficiencies and water losses (runoff and deep percolation), the best irrigation management could be attributed to the furrow length of 200 m that occurs for on-time of 60 min, with a cutoff time of 360 min, and an inflow rate of 0.7 l s−1 although Zreq = 50 mm is not fully irrigated over the whole furrow. Under this scenario, 35 % of the furrow is under deficit irrigation. Scenario analyses showed that we may propose a new surge irrigation management named as “wet-cycle surge irrigation” such that the first surge completes the whole furrow length, and then the subsequent surges will run on wet soil.

Evaluation of Deficit Irrigation on Potato Yield and Water use Efficiency in Gedeo Zone, South Region

Increased water scarcity necessitates the implementation of water-conserving irrigation management practices tosustain crop production, especially in water-limited areas. A two-year field study was conducted during 2020 and 2021 to evaluate the effect of deficit irrigation on potato yield and water use efficiency. The experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with four irrigation levels (100% ETc (crop evapotranspiration), 85% ETc, 70% ETc, and 55%ETc). The results showed that, deficit irrigation level have a significant difference in number of tuber per plant, marketable, total yield and water use efficiency. Potato yield significantly reduced with deficit irrigation level. Next to full irrigation the maximum yield was obtained under 85% ETc and 70%ETc with better crop and irrigation water use efficiency. Maximum crop and irrigation water use efficiency was obtained under 55% ETc. The partial budget analysis showed that the maximum acceptable MRR was obtained from 70%ETc and the highest net benefit was obtained under full irrigation. Therefore, in area where sufficient amount of water is available full irrigation is recommended to obtain maximum yield, but in water scarce area applying 85%ETcand 70%ETc is recommended with 17.5% and 23.2% yield reduction respectively with acceptable economical benefit.

Increased Free Radical Scavenging Activity and Consumer Preference in Garden Cress (Lepidium sativum L.) Subjected to Water Stress

Although the Garden Cress is known to grow in a wide range of climatic conditions, there are limited studies on how water stress can affect their morphological, biochemical and sensory characteristics. In this research, these characteristics in the Garden Cress leaves were measured in response to water stress. In this study two different irrigation restrictions (50% and 25% irrigation) were applied against the control plants (100% irrigation) in four replications. As a result, the amount of proline was determined as 5.98 mg-1100g in control plants, and as 36.72 mg-1100g in 25% irrigated plants. While total phenolic compounds and total flavonoids varied from 61.26 to 68.04 mg of GA-1100gFW and 8.35 to 11.70 mg QE-1100gFW, respectively, the differences were statistically insignificant. The increase of DPPH free radical scavenging activity in line with increased water stress, however, was found to be statistically significant. In conclusion, the 50% water stress applied Garden Cress leaves were found to be most preferred by the consumers in terms of flavor and had higher radical scavenging activity than control plants. Irrigation management practices, therefore, could consider limited water use with Garden Cress production under possible negative effects of climate change on water resources.

Irrigation Scheduling and Nitrogen Management Practices Affected the Nutrient Concentration of Moth Bean under Arid Ecosystem

Efficient utilization of water and fertilizers is important for maximizing yield for moth bean production through improvement the nutrient use efficiency under arid ecosystem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of irrigation and nitrogen fertilizers on growth, yield and nutrient content of moth bean in the western zone of Rajasthan during 2020 & 2021. Treatments included three levels of nitrogen (N1:15 kg N as basal + foliar spray of urea (2%) at flowering stage, N2: 15 kg N + foliar spray of urea (2%) at pod development stage and N3: 15 kg N + foliar spray of urea (2%) at flowering and pod development stages) and levels three levels of irrigation (I1: single irrigation at branching stage, I2: two irrigation at branching + pod development stages and I3: two irrigation at flowering + pod development stages) were laid down in factorial combinations of randomized block design with three replications. The results revealed that 15 kg N + foliar spray of urea (2%) at flowering and pod development stage recorded significantly higher nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content in seed and haulm over 15 kg N + foliar spray of urea (2%) at flowering stage and 15 kg N + foliar spray of urea (2%) at pod development stage. However, the phosphorus content in seed and haulm was not significantly influenced by N3 and statistically equivalent with N2 and N1 during 2020 and 2021. Potassium content in seed showed significant enhancement under N3, while K content in haulm was not affected significantly during 2020 and pooled basis. Further, irrigation management practices did not show any significant improvement on N, P, K content in seed and haulm during years of 2020 and 2021. While, N content in seed and haulm was significantly improved under I2 over I3 and I1 on pooled basis. Thus, 15 kg N as basal application + foliar spray of urea (2%) at flowering and pod development stages with two irrigations at branching + pod development stages improved the nutrient content in moth bean in arid condition.

Optimizing Water Use Efficiency and Yield of Wheat Crops through Integrated Irrigation and Nitrogen Management: A Comprehensive Review

Achieving sustainable agricultural productivity is critical due to the rising worldwide demand for food and the growing scarcity of water. This comprehensive review investigates the complex interrelations where integrated irrigation and nitrogen management are used as a strategic method to improve wheat crop yields and water use efficiency (WUE). The study synthesizes current research findings, methodologies, and technological advancements related to optimizing water and nitrogen inputs in wheat cultivation. A number of factors can affect WUE in wheat, including climate, soil, crop management practices, and genetic factors. There are a number of irrigation and nitrogen management practices that can be used to improve WUE in wheat, including deficit irrigation, mulching, and split applications of nitrogen fertilizer. The review underscores the significance of tailored irrigation and nitrogen management strategies in mitigating water stress, reducing nutrient runoff, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Insights from this comprehensive analysis aim to guide policymakers, agronomists, and farmers in making informed decisions for optimizing wheat production while conserving water resources and minimizing environmental impact. Future research on WUE can help to ensure that wheat production remains sustainable in the face of future challenges such as climate change and water scarcity.

Optimizing crop production water footprints in the face of water scarcity: a combined experimental and simulation study of wheat in Zimbabwe

Abstract The optimization of water footprints in crop production is critical, given that agroecosystems currently account for more than 70% of global freshwater use. To achieve this, crop growth models provide insights into the impact of various crop and irrigation management strategies on both crop productivity and water use. This study evaluated the capability of the AquaCrop model in simulating wheat yields, crop water use, and water footprints in the Middle-Manyame Sub-Catchment, Zimbabwe. The model was calibrated and validated using experimental data collected from field experiments. Simulation experiments were conducted to assess the impact of early and late planting, drip and sprinkler irrigation techniques, and no mulch, organic mulch, and synthetic mulch options on the water footprint (WF). The AquaCrop model accurately simulated soil water content, crop water use, crop biomass, and grain yield. Simulation runs showed that early planting reduced WFblue and WFgreen by 25 and 4%, respectively. The lowest consumptive WF was observed with drip irrigation and synthetic mulching. The greatest decline in WFblue and WFgreen (52 and 11%) was simulated under early planting, using drip irrigation and synthetic mulching. Overall, the study highlights the importance of efficient crop and irrigation management practices to reduce water footprints in agroecosystems.

Evaluating greenhouse gas mitigation through alternate wetting and drying irrigation in Colombian rice production

Rice demand in Latin America is increasing rapidly, but few studies have identified management practices to reduce water demand and soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for irrigated rice systems in this region. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation could maintain crop yields while mitigating global warming potential (GWP) compared to a conventional system with recommended irrigation and nutrient management practices for tropical rice in Colombia. Over four consecutive growing seasons, we monitored CH4 and N2O emissions, grain yield, and water consumption for two AWD treatments (AWD5 cm and AWD10 cm - where water drained to depths of 5 and 10 cm below the soil surface, respectively) and a control, in which the field was drained multiple times during fertilizer applications and then continuously flooded until harvest. The control had the highest water use across all rice seasons, with values ranging from 9260 to 16559 m3 ha−1 harvest−1. Implementation of AWD reduced cumulative water use by 19–56%, especially in dry seasons. Both AWD treatments significantly reduced cumulative CH4 emissions by 72–100%, which is consistent with previous research. A new finding is that AWD also decreased N2O emissions by 12–70%, which was attributed to management of soil moisture during fertilizer application events. In total, AWD reduced GWP by 25–73% compared to the control, with minimal impacts on crop productivity. Rice yields ranged from 5.2 to 8.2 Mg ha−1, with no significant difference among treatments in three of four seasons. This study shows that AWD saves irrigation water while greatly reducing GWP with little agronomic penalty, suggesting this technology could be a promising strategy for GHG mitigation in tropical rice in Colombia. Because there are important barriers to AWD adoption, future work should explore challenges at the farm-level as well as changes in policy, irrigation infrastructure, and institutional arrangements to understand the potential for broader implementation.

What are the impacts of water deficit, cultivars, and agricultural years on the dynamics of nutrient uptake by common bean? Part I: n, P, and K

Knowing the effect of water deficit intensity on the nutrient uptake dynamics by common bean cultivars with contrasting growth habits in different years is necessary to appraise and recommend more specific fertilization management practices. A field study was carried out in the Southeast of Brazil for two years aiming to explain and compare the accumulation and extraction of the macronutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) from two common bean cultivars with contrasting growth habits as a function of water deficit severity. The common bean cultivars IAC Imperador and IPR Campos Gerais, with determinate and indeterminate growth habits, respectively, were evaluated. Both cultivars were submitted to three irrigation management practices: severe water deficit (54% of the crop evapotranspiration – ETc), moderate water deficit (77% of ETc), and no water deficit (100% of ETc). Overall, the severe water deficit reduced N, P, and K accumulation in the common bean cultivars by 26, 37, and 23%, respectively. Under no water deficit, IPR Campos Gerais showed higher accumulation of biomass and nutrients N (27%) and P (42%) compared to IAC Imperador, in addition to higher interannual variability in the accumulation of nutrients. The maximum daily demand for nutrients N, P, and K of IAC Imperador was anticipated in 9, 13 and 11 days, respectively, compared to IPR Campos Gerais. Irrigation management, cultivar, and climate of the agricultural year are important factors in decision-making for the most adequate establishment of fertilization with N, P, and K in common bean.

Irrigation Water and Nitrogen Fertilizer Management in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.): A Review

Intensive irrigation and nutrient management practices in agriculture have given rise to serious issues in aquifer water depletion and groundwater quality. This review discusses the effects of irrigation and nitrogen management practices on potato growth, yield, and quality, and their impacts on water and nitrogen use efficiencies. This review also highlights the economics and consequences of applying deficit irrigation strategies in potato production. Many researchers have demonstrated that excessive irrigation and nitrogen application rates negatively impact potato tuber yield and quality while also increasing nitrate leaching, energy consumption, and the overall costs of production. An application of light-to-moderate deficit irrigation (10–30% of full irrigation) together with reduced nitrogen rates (60–170 kg/ha) has a great potential to improve water and nitrogen use efficiencies while obtaining optimum yield and quality in potato production, depending on the climate, variety, soil type, and water availability. There is an opportunity to reduce N application rates in potato production through deficit irrigation practices by minimizing nitrate leaching beyond the crop root zone. The best irrigation and nitrogen management techniques for potato production, as discussed in this review, include using sprinkle and drip irrigation techniques, irrigation scheduling based on local crop coefficients, soil moisture content, and crop modeling techniques, applying slow-release nitrogenous fertilizers, split nitrogen application, and applying water and nitrogenous fertilizers in accordance with crop growth stage requirements.

Climate change impact on potato (Solanum tuberosum) productivity and relative adaptation strategies

WOFOST and InfoCrop crop growth simulation models were used to assess the impact of climate change on potato cultivars and to develop adaptation strategies for future climatic scenarios (2030, 2050 and 2080) under representative concentration pathways (RCP’s) 4.5 and 6.0 in Bihar. Potato cultivars belonging to late (Kufri Badshah), medium (Kufri Jyoti) and early (Kufri Pukhraj) maturity groups were selected. The simulated results revealed variations in potential productivity of potato under both RCP’s (4.5 & 6.0) with baseline yields of 43.80 t ha-1 for Kufri Badshah, 41.5 t ha-1 for Kufri Jyoti and 43.6 t ha-1 for Kufri Pukhraj. Under RCP 4.5, elevated concentration of CO2 projected to increase the productivity of Kufri Badshah, Kufri Jyoti, and Kufri Pukhraj. However, a decline in yield is expected when individual effect of temperature is considered for future climatic scenarios (2030, 2050 & 2080). However, these yield loss is negated when combined effect of CO2 and temperature is considered by 1.3, 0.7 and 0.3 % in 2030, by -0.4, -1.1 and -2.2 % in 2050 and by 3.5, 4.4 and 5.9 % in 2080, respectively. Likewise, for RCP 6.0, combined effect of CO2 and temperature offset the yield losses by 2.6, 2.4 and 2.3% in 2030, 2.1, 1.7 and 1.1 in 2050 and 1.1, -0.1 and -1.8 in 2080. In addition, selection of suitable cultivars, shifting the date of planting and proper irrigation and nitrogen management practices can counterbalance the yield losses.

Assessment, classification and mapping of groundwater quality for agriculture in selected farm settlements of southwestern Nigeria

Abstract Good water quality is very vital to the productivity and sustainability of irrigated agriculture. The suitability for irrigation of groundwater samples collected and analyzed during dry and wet seasons from Ajegunle, Akufo and Eruwa farm settlements of southwestern Nigeria were assessed using several irrigation water quality indices (IWQIs). The parameters were analyzed statistically and subjected to correlation. Seasonal spatial distribution maps were generated via GIS. All the water samples from the three farm settlements were found to be mostly soft, fresh, excellent, and suitable for irrigation in both seasons. Meanwhile, soluble sodium percentage (SSP) and Kelley's Ratio (KR) revealed them as unsuitable while other parameters showed different degrees of suitability for different samples from different farm settlements in different seasons. Significant correlations were seen between the selected parameters in both seasons. The distribution maps reveal the spatial distributions of selected parameters within Ajegunle and Akufo farm settlements. Utilizing these findings will enhance systematic groundwater exploitation for irrigation within the settlements. Furthermore, systematic irrigation management practices and crop choices, based on the concentrations and distribution of the parameters viz-a-viz crop requirements should be considered to limit potential dangers that may arise with the use of the water over a long period.

Effect of fertigation levels on fertilizer use efficiency, yield, quality and economics of Robusta coffee

AbstractRobusta coffee production largely depends upon irrigation and nutrition management practices. These factors determine the increase in productivity and quality of coffee. Therefore, restrictions of Robusta coffee production due to soil nutrient deficiencies can be removed by applying the right quantities of fertilizers at the right time with the right method. A long‐term experiment was conducted to study the impact of different fertigation levels on the yield, nutrient use efficiency and quality of Robusta coffee. The present experiment was conducted on a randomized block design consisting of six treatments with four replications over a period of 5 years from 2017 to 2021 at the Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI), Balehonnuru, India. The results revealed that among different fertigation levels, fertigation with 75% and 100% of the recommended dose of fertilizer resulted in significantly higher yields (2117 kg ha−, 1821 kg ha−1) and yield attributing parameters, namely, total number of nodes/branches (49.1, 44.1), number of bearing nodes/branches (35.0, 29.4) and number of fruits/branches (758, 679) in Robusta coffee, based on the pooled mean (2017–2021). Therefore, adoption of the fertigation level with 75% of the recommended dose of fertilizers not only increased the productivity of Robusta coffee but also ensured a higher efficiency of nutrients (25%–30%) and cost–benefit ratio (1:2.48).