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International Journal of Food Science and Agriculture

ISSN Print: 2578-3467 Downloads: 188137 Total View: 2772219
Frequency: quarterly ISSN Online: 2578-3475 CODEN: IJFSJ3
Email: ijfsa@hillpublisher.com
Article http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/jsfa.2018.03.001

Irrigation Level Management and Mulching on Onion (Allium cepa L.) Yield and WUE in Western Ethiopia

Tasisa Temesgen

School of Natural Resource Management and Environmental Sciences, Haramaya University, Ethiopia Corresponding author: Tasisa Temesgen

*Corresponding author: Tasisa Temesgen, E-mail: tasisatemesgen@gmail.com, Tel: +251-912362787

Published: April 28,2018

Abstract

In the context of improving Water Use Efficiency, there is interest in deficit irrigation, which provides a means of reducing water consumption while minimizing adverse effects on yield. A field experiment was conducted at Ambo Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopia during 2017 dry season. The objective was determining effects of irrigation levels and mulching material on yield and Water Use Efficiency of Onion. The experimental design was in RCBD with three replications. The deficit irrigation levels 100%, 80%, 70%, 60% and 50% ETc used with the three mulching no mulch, straw and plastic mulch were used. The results revealed that the maximum yield of 47.25 ton ha-1 was recorded from 100% ETc with plastic mulch; whereas the minimum yield of 18.2 ton ha-1 was recorded from 50% ETc with no mulch. Higher Crop Water Use Efficiency and Irrigation Water Use Efficiency of about 12.75 and 7.63 ha-1mm-1 was obtained from 70% ETc with plastic mulch respectively. With 70% ETc and plastic mulch the water saved, yield reduction and Crop Water Use Efficiency were 109.5 mm, 12.65% and 12.75 kg ha-1 mm-1 respectively. Considering water saved and maximum yield, irrigation water application at 70% irrigation application levels and plastic mulch could be interested. The present study suggests that, in water scarce area, farming community can adopt deficit irrigation level with 70% ETc under plastic mulch.

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How to cite this paper

Irrigation Level Management and Mulching on Onion (Allium cepa L.) Yield and WUE in Western Ethiopia

How to cite this paper: Temesgen, T. (2018) Irrigation Level Management and Mulching on Onion (Allium cepa L.) Yield and WUE in Western Ethiopia. The Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 2(3), 45-56.

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.26855/jsfa.2018.03.001