Irrigation Water Use Efficiency Values Research Articles

English

Drought is a highly important abiotic stress that affects crops around the world and especially under the Mediterranean climate. This study is focused on strawberry, an important species around the Mediterranean that is suitable for family-owned smallscale businesses. This study aimed to determine the effects of conventional deficit irrigation and fixed partial root drying techniques on the evapotranspiration (ET), yield and quality of Rubygem strawberry species. Strawberry seedlings were planted in the greenhouse in a double row at a planting distance of 30×30 cm. Irrigation was carried out by drip irrigation. The control - full irrigation was based on measurements taken from an A-Class Evaporation Pan. Three conventional deficit irrigation (DI80, DI60 and DI40) and four fixed partial root drying (FPRD100, FPRD80, and FPRD60 FPRD40) were examined. Irrigation water quantities were applied at the 100% (FPRD100/FULL), 80% (DI80 and FPRD80), 60% (DI60 and FPRD60) and 40% (DI40 and FPRD40) levels. The amount of irrigation water ranged between 199.17 and 452.92 mm. It was found that the various water levels affected the ET and the yield (Y). In general, as the amount of water decreased, the ET also decreased. The ET, Y, water use efficiency (WUE) and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) were significantly affected by irrigation treatments (LSD 5%). The yield values are ranked from high to low as FULL > FPRD100 > FPRD80 > DI80 > DI60 > FPRD60 > FPRD40 > DI40. As expected, WUE and IWUE values were higher under deficit irrigation levels i.e., DI80, DI60, DI40, FPRD80, FPRD60, and FPRD40. Fruit quality parameters (width, height and average weight) increased with the increase in the amount of applied irrigation water. In addition, fruit firmness values and total phenolic compounds were significantly affected by irrigation level. The results showed that different irrigation levels (100%, 80%, 60% and 40%) affected the yield and yield parameters of strawberry plants. In general, it has been found that, the yield and quality are negatively affected with increases in water deficit (DI40 and FPRD40 treatments). However, the results showed that the fixed partial root drying technique is superior to conventional deficit irrigation applications. As a result of the research, mainly FPRD80 and then DI80, DI60 and FPRD60 are recommended for strawberry cultivation, especially in arid and semiarid regions, depending on the availability of water

The Effect of Deficit Irrigation on Yield and Quality of Second Crop Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

This study was carried out in Bursa, Turkey which has a sub-humid climate, in order to examine the water-yield relationships and responses of yield and quality components under deficit irrigation of second crop sesame plant (Sesamum indicum L.) irrigated with drip irrigation method. Experimental treatments were application of 100% (S1), 75% (S2), 50% (S3), 25% (S4) and 0% (S5) of soil water depleted at effective rooting depth at 7-day intervals. The experiment was applied in 3 replicates according to the completely randomized blocks experimental design. According to the study results, the total amounts of irrigation water applied were between 127.0-354.7 mm. Crop evapotranspiration values varied between 246.0-449.5 mm. Seed yield, oil content and protein content were obtained as between 76.3-189.2 kg da-1, 56.3-62.6% and 18.6-20.4%, respectively. In the study, the seasonal yield response factor (ky) was determined as 1.28. Water use efficiency (WUE) of the sesame plant was found between 0.31-0.43 kg m-3. Irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) varied between 0.50-0.57 kg m-3. As a result, irrigation treatment S1 can be suggested as an irrigation schedule in order to reach the highest seed yield (189.2 kg da-1) in the second crop sesame plant. When water resources are limited, taking into account the WUE and IWUE values, the S2 treatment (25% water deficit) can be preferred as an irrigation program in terms of water saving.

Determining effects of foliar boron applications on yield and fruit quality of apricot trees for reducing water stress

Aims: The research was carried out to determine the effects of different boron doses on yield, yield components and quality on 5-6 years old apricot trees of Mogador variety, which were exposed to water stress in the Amik Plain in 2019. Methods and Results: The factorial experimental design was conducted on apricot trees of Mogador variety, using four doses of foliar boron (ppm) (0-B0, 150-B150, 225-B225 and 300-B300 ppm) and four irrigation levels (100%-I100, 75%-I75, 50%-I50 and 25%-I25 of available water holding capacity) in four replications. Each replication consisted of two apricot trees. The quantity of irrigation water applied in the experiment ranged from 179 to 742 mm, while the evapotranspiration varied between 295 and 832 mm during the irrigation season. Irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) and water use efficiency (WUE) varied between 3.51-5.18 kg m-3 and 2.89-4.17 kg m-3, respectively. Boron doses did not cause significant differences in WUE and IWUE values. Each unit increase in crop water use caused an average yield increase of 16.8 kg ha-1. Relative to the full irrigation (I100), fruit weight decreased by 13 and 3% in I25 and I50, respectively, but increased by 2% in I75. Relative to the control group (B0), fruit weight increased by 2, 4, and 2% with B150, B225, and B300, respectively. Average fruit size varied between 47.40 (I75) and 42.99 mm (I25); total soluble solids (TSS) between 16.13 (I100) and 12.65 (I25); and pH between 3.16 (I100) and 3.30 (I50). The increased boron dose did not cause a significant difference in fruit size and width. The leaf boron content increased up to the B225 dose and tended to decrease at the B300 dose.Conclusions: Boron element provides an increase in yield in deficit irrigation conditions, the yield increase is higher in fully irrigated apricot trees. In full irrigation treatment (I100), the B225 treatment was more effective on the yield.Significance and Impact of the Study: The boron element is an important element that causes an increase in photosynthesis by light adsorption. There is not a lot of research investigating the effects of nutrient elements to relieve the negative effect of water stress in orchards. This research is important in terms of revealing the effects of the element boron in water stress conditions.

EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT WATER STRESS LEVELS ON BIOMASS YIELD AND AGRONOMIC TRAITS OF SWITCHGRASS (Panicum virgatum L.) CULTIVARS UNDER ARID AND SEMI-ARID CONDITIONS

This study was conducted to determine the effects of different water stress levels on biomass yield, plant height, number of stalks per unit area, single stalk weight, yield reduction ratios and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) values of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) cultivars under Central Anatolia conditions. Experiments were conducted for two years (2016 – 2017) in randomized blocks – split plots experimental design with three replications under Konya ecological conditions. Six switchgrass cultivars (Shelter, Alamo, Cave in rock, Shawnee, Kanlow and Trailblazer) and five different irrigation treatments (water stress levels: S1: Full irrigation; S2: 75% of full irrigation; S3: 50% of full irrigation; S4: 25% of full irrigation and S5: Rain-fed without irrigation) were used in present experiments. Kanlow, Alamo and Trailblazer cultivars had greater biomass yields than the other cultivars in all water stress treatments. Under different water stress treatments, dry biomass yields varied between 48300 kg ha-1 (S5- Cave in rock) and 25120 kg ha-1 (S1- Kanlow); plant heights varied between 70 cm (S5) and 180 cm (S1); number of stalks per unit area (meter) varied between 221 (S5) and 356 (S1); stalk weights varied between 0.56 g (S5) and 2.25 g (S1). IWUE was calculated as 5.7 kg m-3 for the first harvest and as 2.1 kg m-3 for the second harvest. Considering the biomass yields from single harvest of rain-fed treatments (S5) and two harvests of the other irrigation treatments (S1-S4), IWUE values and water deficits of the region, it was concluded that single harvest was more suitable for switchgrass plants grown under ecological conditions

Potential use of crop water stress index (CWSI) in irrigation scheduling of drip-irrigated seed pumpkin plants with different irrigation levels

This study was conducted in 2015 and 2016 to investigate potential use of crop water stress index (CWSI) in irrigation scheduling for drip-irrigated pumpkin seed plants. Six different irrigation levels (I0, I20, I40, I60, I80 and I100) were used. Amount of irrigation water applied to plants varied between 24.0–258.4 mm in 2015 and between 13.0–470.2 mm in 2016. Plant water consumptions (ET) varied between 256–479 mm in 2015 and between 227–628 mm in 2016. The greatest seed yields (1417 kg/ha in 2015 and 1306 kg/ha in 2016) were obtained from I100 treatments and the lowest seed yields (470 kg/ha in 2015 and 427 kg/ha in 2016) were obtained from I0 treatments. In 2015, water use efficiency (WUE) values varied between 0.18 - 0.30 kg/m3 and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) values varied between 0.55 – 0.89 kg/m3. In 2016, WUE values varied between 0.19 - 0.24 kg/m3 and IWUE values varied between 0.28 – 0.71 kg/m3. The average lower limit baseline equation for CWSI calculations was identified as Tc-Ta = - 2.3728 × VPD + 4.4254. CWSI values varied between 0.24–1.0 in 2015 and between 0.08 - 0.93 in 2016. CWSI significantly correlated with seed yield, leaf area index (LAI), leaf water potential (LWP), oil and protein content. It was concluded based on present findings that CWSI could reliably be used in irrigation scheduling and yield estimation of pumpkin seed plants.

Efficacy of ascorbic acid as a cofactor for alleviating water deficit impacts and enhancing sunflower yield and irrigation water–use efficiency

Ascorbic acid (AsA) is considered as one of the most important and profusely known occurring water soluble antioxidants in plants, however, it is not well known to what extent this antioxidant might contribute in alleviating the adverse effects of water deficit on plant growth, yield and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE). In attempt to clarify whether exogenous application of AsA could alleviate the adverse effects of water deficit on sunflower plants, two seasons (2014 and 2015) of field experimentation were conducted using six combinations of two AsA levels (AsA(–) and AsA(+), i.e. zero and 450 ppm AsA, respectively) and three irrigation water amounts (I100, I85, and I70, i.e. 100, 85 and 70% of crop evapotranspiration, respectively). Under water shortage, leaf chlorophyll content increased but proline content lowered in AsA–treated plants compared to the untreated ones. Lower values of LAI, head weight, seed yield ha–1, and oil yield ha–1 were recorded with decreasing water supply, while the highest values were gained when supplying plants with sufficient water (I100) plus application of AsA (i.e. AsA(+)), i.e., I100AsA(+). Plants under the latter treatment grew well and possessed higher yields compared to that of suffering from deficit water without AsA application, i.e. I85AsA(–) or I70AsA(–). Head weight and seed as well as oil yields ha–1 produced in 2014 season under sufficient water supply without AsA application (I100AsA(–)) could be achieved under moderately water–stressed condition in conjunction with applying AsA (I85AsA(+)). Implication of AsA tends to minimize the reduction in seed yield due to insufficient water supply, where I85AsA(+) and I85AsA(–), each saved same percentage of water (15.0%) but the reduction in seed yield associated the former treatment was less than that under the latter one. On the other hand, IWUE reached the maximal values in both seasons under I100AsA(+) treatment but, however, without marked differences in comparing to those recorded I85AsA(+) in 2014 season. Moreover, the differences in IWUE values exhibited by I100AsA(–) and I85AsA(+) did not reach the P < 0.05 level of significance in 2015 season, which could reveal the positive role of AsA in alleviating water stress.

Sığ toprakta sulamadan etkilenen mısır ve sorgum çeşitlerinin su kullanım etkinliği, verimi ve besin değeri

To investigate the changes in irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) and some agronomic and nutritional characteristics of forage maize and sorghum cultivars (cvs) irrigated in a shallow soil, two maize and seven sorghum cvs were evaluated in rain-fed (NIR) and irrigated (IR) field conditions for a 3-year period. The experimental design was a randomized complete block in a split-plot arrangement. The irrigation increased plant height of forages whereas decreased metabolizable energy and relative feed values. There was an advantage for sorghum cvs over maize cvs regarding to agronomic and nutritional traits in a shallow soil, irrespective of irrigation. The IR-cvs had higher yield and nutritional quality compared to the NIR-cvs. The IWUE values of Jumbo, Grazer, Hayday, El Rey and Gozde cvs were higher than those of other sorghum cvs. The studied cvs, except for El Rey (the highest) and Rox (the lowest) had similar IWUE values. The plant heights and dry matter (DM), digestible DM (DDM) and crude protein (CP) yields of sorghum cvs were greater than those of maize cvs, except for Rox and Early sumac. When cvs classes were compared for the yields of DM, DDM and CP, the classes ranked in the following order: Rx-893 = Karadeniz Yildizi = Rox = Early Sumac ≤ Gözde = Grazer = Hayday = Jumbo = El Rey.

The Effects of Irrigation Regimes on the Yield and Water Use of Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

The general objective of this study was to specify the influence of deficit irrigation on yield for eggplant grown under unheated greenhouse condition. The area trials were conducted at the Agricultural Research Station of Yenişehir Vocational School of Uludag University in Bursa, Turkey during growing season of 2007. In the study, irrigation regimes consisted of full irrigation (1.00 K1 cp ) and three deficit irrigation treatments (K2 cp , K3 cp , and K4 cp corresponding to 0.75, 0.50 and 0.25 of accumulative pan evaporation). A nonirrigated treatment (K5 cp ) was also designed for control purpose. Applied irrigation water amounts were changed between 85 and 464 mm, and water consumption were varied from 170 to 472 mm. Eggplant yield, length, diameter, weight and dry matter were significantly influenced by irrigation water level. The highest yield averaging 62 t ha -1 was obtained at K1 cp . Crop yield response factor (k y ) for eggplant was found as 1.14. Water use efficiency (WUE) and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) for the K2 cp treatment were calculated to be 13.16 and 10.63 kg m -3 . These were the highest WUE and IWUE values. K2 application (75%) can be recommended as the most effective irrigation level for the eggplant to which drip irrigation is applied under scarce water resource and unheated greenhouse conditions.

Automated irrigation systems for wheat and tomato crops in arid regions

Automated irrigation systems (AISs) are critical for the sustainability of irrigated farming systems, considering the present water crisis in Saudi Arabia. This study investigated whether electronic controllers in irrigation systems effectively save water. The study also assessed the effect of these controllers on crop yield using drip and sprinkler irrigation systems in severely arid climate conditions. Evapotranspiration (ET) controllers were installed in experimental fields of wheat (Triticum aestivum) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill.) crops for 2 successive seasons. The results revealed that the water use efficiency (WUE) and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) were typically higher in the AIS than in the conventional irrigation control system (CIS). Under the AIS treatment, the WUE and IWUE values were 1.64 and 1.37 k.gm-3 for wheat, and 7.50 and 6.50 kg.m-3 for tomato crops; under the CIS treatment the values were 1.47 and 1.21 kg.m-3 for wheat and 5.72 and 4.70 kg.m-3 for tomatoes, respectively. Therefore, the AIS provided significant advantages in both water savings and crop yields by utilising up to 26% less water than the CIS, and simultaneously generating higher total yields. The automated irrigation system technique may be a valuable tool for conserving water and scheduling irrigation for wheat and tomato crops, and may be extendable to other similar agricultural crops.

Economic Return versus Crop Water Productivity of Maize for Various Nitrogen Rates under Full Irrigation, Limited Irrigation, and Rainfed Settings in South Central Nebraska

AbstractField research was conducted at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln South Central Agricultural Laboratory (SCAL) located near Clay Center, NE, in the growing seasons of 2011 to 2014. A partial economic analysis was conducted for maize (Zea mays L.) at nitrogen (N) fertilizer treatments of 0, 84, 140, 196, and 252 kg ha−1 under full irrigation (FIT), limited irrigation (75% FIT), and rainfed settings for all growing seasons and then compared to crop water productivity (CWP) measured as crop water use efficiency (CWUE) and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE). Nitrogen fertilizer increased CWUE and IWUE in all growing seasons. The CWUE values ranged from 0.90 to 2.81 kg m−3 and the IWUE values ranged from −1.01 to 3.24 kg m−3. Operational costs and net income varied among treatments and across years. Irrigation and N fertilizer rate had an interacting effect (P0.05<0.05) on both gross and net income in 2011, 2012, and 2013. Net income was maximized under rainfed settings with a N fertilizer rate...

IMPACT OF DIFFERENT SURFACE IRRIGATION TECHNIQUES ON COTTON PRODUCTIVITY AND WATER SAVING

Field experiments were conducted during two successive summer seasons of (2013/2014) at Al-Amrya area (Al-Nhada region) in Sanad1 village representing a new reclaimed land to assessment impacts of traditional, alternative and surge alternative furrow irrigation techniques, on cotton yield and yield components, water saving and crop water productivity in sandy clay loam soil. Application efficiency (Ea), distribution uniformity (DU) water infiltrated depth (Finf.) as well as advance and recession times (Tadv. and Trec.) were taken in consideration. The experiments were carried out in a randomized complete block design in three replicates. Irrigation treatments involved: conventional furrow irrigation (EFI), alternative furrow irrigation (AFI) and surge alternative furrow irrigation (SAFI) incorporated in three different cycle times and cycle ratios. Obtained results indicated that, shifting irrigation practice from conventional irrigation (EFI) to AFI and SA(10/10), decreased water consumptive use (WCU) by about 21.93 and 36.37 %, respectively. Both of water application efficiencies (Ea) and distribution uniformities (DU) values were improved under AFI and SA(10/10) treatments. Highest average values of (Ea) and (DU) were 84.95 % and 0.8532 obtained with SA(10/10), as compared to (EFI) treatment. Shifting irrigation practice from conventional furrow irrigation (EFI) to alternate furrow (AFI) increased seed cotton yield and lint yield by about 11.91 and 12.52 %, respectively, and saved irrigation water by about 15.20 % as compared to EFI treatment. Maximum seed cotton yield, seed yield and lint yield of 1746.73, 1125.82 and 610.12 (kg/fed), respectively were obtained under SA(10/10) treatment, followed by SA(10/15) by about 1041.54 and 546.92 (kg/fed), which saved irrigation water by about 25.00 and 21.57 %, respectively. Average water use efficiency (WUE) and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) values were significantly affected by different irrigation treatments. Maximum average WUE and IWUE values of 0.758 and 0.477 (kg/m3) were recorded with SA(10/10) treatment. It could be concluded that, in case of lack of irrigation water, surge alternative and alternative furrow irrigation methods are mainly preferred under the conditions of the study area.

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT IRRIGATION SCHEDULING REGIEMS ON YIELD AND WATER CONSUMPTION OF SQUASH GROWN UNDER FIELD CONDITIONS

tfield experiments were carried out during the spring seasons of 2013 and 2014 at EL-Tahrir Provence, Behera Governorate, Egypt to study the effect of four different irrigation scheduling strategies on squash (cucurbita Pepo L.) yield and quality as well as water consumption under field conditions. Four scheduling irrigation treatments under drip irrigation system determining connected for evapotranspiration, accumulative evaporation, wetted area and the percentage of canopy cover these treatments were arrigned in randomized complete block design in three replications and designated as AETo, BEP,CPw, and DPc., respectively. Results revealed that, the maximum seasonal applied irrigation water (Ir) and water consumption (Et) of 547.2, 398.36 mm and 562.0, 409.15 mm were by AETo treatment for the first and second season, respectively. While, CPw treatment recorded the minimum Ir and Et values of 442.54, 322.20mm and 459.45, 334.50 mm for the first and second season, respectively . Increasing Ir resulting in increasing Et and significantly affecting the total yield and all vegetative traits as well as irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE). AETo, DPc. and BEP treatments had the highest early and mean fruit yield of 1.35, 1.28, and 1.17 Mg/Fed. and 12.0, 10.62, 10.0 Mg/Fed. for the first season, respectively. Results of the second season regarding early and mean fruit yield had the same trend. Concerning the vegetative and quality traits, AETo, DPc and BEP treatments exhibited the maximum values regarding to fruit number and weight per plant, mean fruit weight, diameter and length. Meanwhile, CPw treatment had the lowest values which maybe due to superior irrigation in early growth stage and insufficient water in the late growth stages which adversely affected the pant development and caused flowers shedding. AETo and DPc. treatments had the highest IWUE values of 5.22 and 5.07 kg/m3 for the first season and 5.13 and 4.92kg/m3 for the second season, respectively. As a conclusion, Irrigation scheduling based on the percentage of the canopy cover could be used as an alternative to using crop coefficient (Kc) values especially, when kc values not available or not correctly defined. Meanwhile, Irrigation scheduling based on the percentage of wetted area (Pw) seems to be not realistic or sensible, because using a fixed Pw value was not appropriate for all plant growth stages.

Impact of Water and Nitrogen Management Strategies on Maize Yield and Water Productivity Indices under Linear-Move Sprinkler Irrigation

<abstract><title><italic>Abstract.</italic></title> With uncertainty in future irrigation water availability and regulations on nutrient application amounts, experimentally determined effects of “controllable” management strategies such as nitrogen (N), water, and their combination on crop water productivity (CWP, also known as crop water use efficiency) and actual evapotranspiration (ET_a) are essential. The effects of various N application rates (0, 84, 140, 196, and 252 kg ha^-1) under fully irrigated (FIT), limited irrigation (75% FIT), and rainfed conditions on maize (Zea mays L.) yield and various CWP indices were investigated in 2011 and 2012 growing seasons under linear-move sprinkler irrigation in south central Nebraska. CWP was presented as crop water use efficiency (CWUE), irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE), and evapotranspiration water use efficiency (ETWUE). The seasonal rainfall amounts in 2011 and 2012 were 371 mm and 296 mm, respectively, as compared with the long-term average of 469 mm. Two experimental seasons were contrasted with extreme warmer temperatures, greater solar radiation, and lower rainfall in 2012. Maximum grain yield of 12.68 metric tons ha^-1 and 14.42 tons ha^-1 was observed in 2011 and 2012, respectively, under the fully irrigated and 252 kg N ha^-1 treatment. Grain yield was linearly related to ET_a and curvilinearly related to N and irrigation application amounts. Lower N treatments were more susceptible to interannual effects on the grain yield response to irrigation water amount. CWUE ranged from 1.52 kg m^-3 (FIT and 84 kg N ha^-1) to 2.58 kg m^-3 (rainfed and 196 kg N ha^-1) with an average of 2.15 kg m^-3 in 2011, and from 1.49 kg m^-3 (FIT and 0 kg N ha^-1) to 2.72 kg m^-3 (rainfed and 252 kg N ha^-1) with an average of 2.33 kg m^-3 in 2012. CWUE had a positive quadratic relationship with N application amount and decreased with both the presence and amount of irrigation at a given N application amount. The maximum IWUE for 75% FIT and FIT in 2011 was 1.80 kg m^-3 (252 kg N ha^-1) and 1.51 kg m^-3 (252 kg N ha^-1), respectively, whereas in 2012 the maximum IWUE values were 1.40 kg m^-3 (196 kg N ha^-1) and 1.78 kg m^-3 (252 kg N ha^-1), respectively. A curvilinear relationship was observed between IWUE and N application amount. An optimal N application amount of 196 kg ha^-1 was identified for the pooled data to maximize the increase in grain yield above rainfed conditions per unit of applied irrigation water under limited irrigation management practices. In 2011, ETWUE ranged from 0.22 kg m^-3 (140 kg N ha^-1) to 1.46 kg m^-3 (196 kg N ha^-1) and from -0.21 kg m^-3 (84 kg N ha^-1) to 3.74 kg m^-3 (252 kg N ha^-1) for 75% FIT and FIT, respectively, whereas in 2012 ETWUE ranged from -0.07 kg m^-3 (0 kg N ha^-1) to 1.87 kg m^-3 (252 kg N ha^-1) and from -0.14 kg m^-3 (0 kg N ha^-1) to 3.65 kg m^-3 (196 kg N ha^-1) for 75% FIT and FIT, respectively. The results support that there is an optimal N level for each irrigation regime and, in general, lower N application amounts are required to reach maximum productivity (e.g., CWUE) under limited and rainfed conditions as compared with the FIT. In other words, there is an optimal N application amount to maximize the effectiveness of irrigation water on increasing grain yield above rainfed yields. The optimal N level for maximum productivity varied not only between the irrigation levels, but also exhibited interannual variability for the same irrigation level, indicating that these variables are impacted by the climatic conditions.

Saving Water in Chufa Cultivation by Using Flat Raised Beds and Drip Irrigation

AbstractChufa, also known as tigernut, is a typical crop in Valencia, Spain, where it is cultivated in ridges with furrow irrigation. This paper examines the effects of the planting strategy (PS) and irrigation system (IS) on yield and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) on the basis of the results from a two-year study. The authors analyzed three PS, ridges with a plant row (R) and flat raised beds containing two (B2) or three (B3) plant rows and compared two IS, furrow (FI) and drip irrigation (DI). Irrigation was based on the volumetric soil water content (VSWC), continuously monitored with capacitance sensors. Each irrigation event started when the VSWC in R dropped to 60 or 80% of the field capacity in FI or DI, respectively. Beds and ridges were irrigated simultaneously and for the same duration. There were differences among IS and PS, with DI and B2 obtaining the highest yield. On average, DI produced higher IWUE values than FI; the highest IWUE was obtained in R for DI, and the lowest IWUE was ...

Varying irrigation rates effect on yield and yield components of chickpea

This study was conducted to determine the effect of different supplemental irrigation rates on chickpea grown under semiarid climatic conditions. Chickpea plots were irrigated with drip irrigation system and irrigation rates included the applications of 0 (I0) 25 (I25), 50 (I50), 75 (I75), 100 (I100), and 125 % (I125) of gravimetrically measured soil water deficit. Plant height, 1,000 seed weight, yield, biomass, and harvest index (HI) parameters were determined in addition to yield-water functions, evapotranspiration (ET), water use efficiency (WUE), and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE). Significant differences were noted for plant height (ranging from 24.0 to 37.5 cm), 1,000 seed weight (ranging from 192.0 to 428.7 g), and aboveground biomass (ranging from 2,722 to 6,083 kg ha−1) for water applications of I0 and I125. Statistical analysis indicated a strong relationship between the amount of irrigation and yield, which ranged from 256.5 to 1,957.3 kg ha−1. Harvest index values ranged between 0.092 and 0.325, while WUE and IWUE values ranged between 1.15–4.55 and 1.34–8.36 (kg ha−1 mm−1), respectively.

Influence of soil hydrothermal environment, irrigation regime, and different mulches on the growth and fruit quality of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa L.) plants in a sub-temperate climate

SummaryThe present study was undertaken over two consecutive years under sub-temperate climatic conditions in the mid-hill region of Himachal Pradesh (30°52'N, 77°11'E; 1,175 m asl) on loamy sand Inceptisols. The aim was to investigate the effects of irrigation and mulch material on the growth, flowering, fruiting behaviour, relative leaf water content (RLWC), yield, and quality of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa L. ‘Chandler’). The drip irrigation treatments included irrigation with 100, 80, or 60% (coded 1.0, 0.8, and 0.6 V) of the total water requirement. Both mulches increased the minimum soil temperature to a depth of 5 cm. The drip and surface irrigation treatments raised the minimum soil temperature by 3.0º – 5.4ºC, and lowered the maximum temperature by 2.2º – 5.8ºC compared to the rainfed control. Hay mulch was more effective in raising the minimum temperature and lowering the maximum soil temperature than black polyethylene mulch. Moisture conservation increased by 2.8 – 12.8% under the black polyethylene mulch compared to the no-mulch treatment. Drip and surface irrigation methods, as well as mulching, were found to be effective for enhancing the growth, irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE), fruit yield, and quality of strawberry plants. However, the number of crowns per plant, the percentage berry set, the RLWC, root length density (RLD), and fruit yield were highest under treatment M3I3 [i.e., black polyethylene mulch plus drip irrigation (1.0 V)] by 565.5%, 94.5%, 32.8%, 394.5%, and 549.6%,respectively, compared to the no mulch plus rainfed control. The maximum IWUE values for plant biomass [1.39 metric tonnes (MT) ha–1 m–1] and fruit yield (2.79 MT ha–1 m–1) were recorded under treatment M3I5 [i.e., black polyethylene mulch plus drip irrigation (0.6 V)]; whereas, the lowest values (0.39 and 0.68 MT ha–1 m–1, respectively) were observed using treatment M1I2 (i.e., without mulch, plus surface irrigation). Fruit size, weight, sugar content, and anthocyanin content increased significantly under treatment M2I3 [i.e., hay mulch, plus drip irrigation (1.0 V)] compared with all other treatments. Total soluble solids (TSS) contents and total acidity (TA) were highest under treatment M1I1 (i.e., no mulch, plus rainfed). A linear regression model could describe the variations in quality parameters of strawberry plants grown under sub-temperate climatic conditions. Root density was found to be the best indicator with which estimate fruit quality.

Effectiveness of water pillow irrigation method on yield and water use efficiency on hot pepper ( Capsicum annuum L.)

A study was conducted to elucidate the effect of water pillow (WP) irrigation method, a new alternative method to furrow irrigation, on the yield and water use efficiency (WUE) of hot pepper in a semi-arid climatic condition. In this research, treatments used were: (i) WP method and its 7-day irrigation interval (WP 7), (ii) WP method and its 9-day irrigation interval (WP 9), (iii) WP method and its 11-day irrigation interval (WP 11) and (iv) furrow irrigation (FI) method and its 5-day irrigation interval (control) were employed. Although the plants were grown under different irrigation methods and interval conditions, there were no statistical differences in yield and biomass of hot pepper plants between FI and WP treatments ( P < 0.05). Water use efficiency (WUE) and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) values significantly increased with the application of WP irrigation method ( P < 0.05). The highest WUE and IWUE values obtained from WP 11 treatment in both years. As a result, we conclude that WP method is a way to save water and increase the yield in semi-arid areas where climatic conditions require repeated irrigation in the hot pepper production area.

Comparison of sprinkler, trickle and furrow irrigation efficiencies for onion production

In the Mesilla Valley of southern New Mexico, furrow irrigation is the primary source of water for growing onions. As the demand for water increases, there will be increasing competition for this limited resource. Water management will become an essential practice used by farmers. Irrigation efficiency (IE) is an important factor into improving water management but so is economic return. Therefore, our objectives were to determine the irrigation efficiency, irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) and water use efficiency (WUE), under sprinkler, furrow, and drip irrigated onions for different yield potential levels and to determine the IE associated with the amount of water application for a sprinkler and drip irrigation systems that had the highest economic return. Maximum IE (100%) and economic return were obtained with a sprinkler system at New Mexico State University’s Agriculture Science Center at Farmington, NM. This IE compared with the 54–80% obtained with the sprinkler irrigation used by the farmers. The IEs obtained for onion fields irrigated with subsurface drip irrigation methods ranged from 45 to 77%. The 45% represents the nonstressed treatments, in which an extra amount of irrigation above the evapotranspiration (Et) requirement was applied to keep the base of the onion plates wet. The irrigation water that was not used for Et went to deep drainage water. The return on the investment cost to install a drip system operated at a IE of 45 was 29%. Operating the drip system at a IE of 79% resulted in a yield similar to surface irrigated onions and consequently, it was not economical to install a drip system. The IEs at the furrow-irrigated onion fields ranged from 79 to 82%. However, the IEs at the furrow-irrigated onion fields were high because farmers have limited water resources. Consequently, they used the concept of deficit irrigation to irrigate their onion crops, resulting in lower yields. The maximum IWUE (0.084 t ha −1 mm −1 of water applied) was obtained using the sprinkler system, in which water applied to the field was limited to the amount needed to replace the onions’ Et requirements. The maximum IWUE values for onions using the subsurface drip was 0.059 and 0.046 t ha −1 mm −1 of water applied for furrow-irrigated onions. The lower IWUE values obtained under subsurface drip and furrow irrigation systems compared with sprinkler irrigation was due to excessive irrigation under subsurface drip and higher evaporation rates from fields using furrow irrigation. The maximum WUE for onions was 0.009 t ha −1 mm −1 of Et. In addition, WUE values are reduced by allowing the onions to suffer from water stress.