Effects Deficit Irrigation and Mulching on Yield and Water Productivity of Furrow Irrigated Onion (Allium Cepa L.) Under Haramaya Condition, Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

In the background of improving Water Productivity, there is concern in deficit irrigation, which delivers a means of decreasing water depletion while reducing opposing effects on yield. A field experiment was conducted at Haramaya, Ethiopia during 2020 off-season. The objective was determining effects of irrigation levels and mulch types on yield and Water Productivity of Onion. The experimental design was a split plot in RCBD with three replications. The deficit irrigation levels 100%, 85%, 70% and 55% ETc used with the three mulch types no mulch, straw and white plastic mulch were used. The results revealed that the maximum yield of 38.43 ton ha-1 was recorded from 100% ETc with plastic mulch; whereas the minimum yield of 16.36 ton ha-1 was recorded from 55% ETc with no mulch. Higher Crop Water Productivity of about 9.04 kg ha-1mm-1 was obtained from 85% ETc with plastic mulch. With 85% ETc and plastic mulch the water saved, yield reduction and Crop Water Productivity were 113.13 mm, 9.57% and 9.04 kg ha-1 mm-1 respectively. In view of water saved and maximum yield, irrigation water application at 85% irrigation application levels and plastic mulch could be concerned. The current study recommends that, in water limited area, farming community can accept deficit irrigation level with 85% ETc under plastic mulch.

Evaluating the Effects of Deficit Irrigation and Mulch Type on Yield and Yield Components of Onion in Fogera, Ethiopia

“…The results were also consistent with the findings reported by [78] plant height, which was not significantly affected by an interaction between mulching materials and irrigation level. These results were in line with the result of [75] stated that plastic mulch significantly affected the absolute growth rate of onions. Where, LSD = Least Significant Difference at 5% level; CV = Coefficient of Variation.…”

“…This result is in line with [74] who reported maximum bulb weight in straw mulch followed by plastic mulch and no mulch treatment. The rice straw mulch increased all previous yield components [75]. This study was in line with the result of [76] who stated that plants grown with straw mulch gave higher yield components.…”

Effect of Deficit Irrigation and Mulch on Field and Water Productivity of Tomato Under Drip Irrigation at Ambo Agricultural Research Center, West Shewa, Ethiopia

“…Ethiopia's economy is dependent on agriculture, which contributes 43 percent of the GDP (Growth Domestic Product) and 90 percent of exports [1]. It also employs 83 percent of the active population [2].…”