International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management

International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management ISSN 5423-5294 Vol. 2 (7), pp. 001-009, July, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Selected chemical properties of soil in the traditional irrigation schemes of the Mbulu district, Tanzania

Joachim H. J. R. Makoi and Patrick A. Ndakidemi

Faculty of Applied Science, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town Campus, Keizersgracht, P.O. Box 652, Cape Town 8000, South Africa.

Accepted 11 September, 2014

Abstract

A survey of chemical soil properties was conducted on six selected irrigation schemes of the Mbulu district, northern Tanzania. The focus of the study was to establish the status of the main mineral elements important for plant growth and crop production. Soil samples were collected from different sites and were analysed for physical chemical characteristics leading to the assessment of the soil fertility status by means of these main elements. The results showed variations in fertility status in the selected sites. Based on guidelines of soil mineral elements contents established elsewhere, the results showed that soil pH and excessive sodium in the soil followed by calcium in all sites; soil organic matter in 73% and cation exchange capacity in 50% of the sites are the major soil fertility constraints to crop production in the area. Crop production was also constrained by nitrogen in 50% and phosphorous in 46% of the sites. The information from our study could be used in designing fertiliser studies to establish nutrient requirements for different crops grown in these areas.

Key words: calcium, cation exchange capacity, crop production, excessive sodium, fertility constraints, management practices, soil organic matter, survey.

International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management ISSN 5423-5294 Vol. 2 (6), pp. 001-007, June, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Suppression of stem growth in pot kalanchoe ‘Gold Strike’ by recycled subirrigational supply of plant growth retardants

Seung Jae Hwang^1,2, Mi Young Lee¹, Young Hoon Park³, Iyyakkannu Sivanesan¹ and Byoung Ryong Jeong^1,2*

¹Department of Horticulture, Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 660-701, South Korea.

²Research Institute of Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 660-701, South Korea.

³Department of Horticultural Bioscience, Division of Natural Resources and Life Science, Pusan National University, Miryang 627-706, South Korea.

Accepted 15 November, 2014

Abstract

Effect of concentration of paclobutrazol and uniconazole supplied to the recycling nutrient solution in an ebb and flow system on the growth and flowering of kalanchoe cultivar ‘Gold Strike’ was examined. Plants potted in 10 cm (370 mL) pots were supplied with a nutrient solution containing 80 mL per pot of 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 mgּL-1 paclobutrazol or of 0.125, 0.250, or 0.50 mgּL-1 uniconazole. Plants were irrigated five times during the reproductive short day treatment period. During each irrigation, the nutrition solution was filled to a depth of 2 cm above the pot base and was left for about 15 min before drainage to reservoir. The control treatment, a foliar spray of 240 mLּm-2 of 10 mg L-1 placlobutrazol or 2.5 mgּL-1 uniconazole was applied twice after pinching at one week interval. At all applied concentrations, plant size, flower stem length and stem diameter decreased as compared to the control. However, the number of florets increased in the treated plants. Results indicate that the subirrigational optimum concentration was 0.5 mgּL-1 paclobutrazol and 0.125 mgּL-1 uniconazole is comparable to foliar spray. Therefore, subirrigational application of growth retardants at lower concentrations could be used as an effective mean for suppressing stem growth. More uniform and environmentally sound application of growth retardants with the same effectiveness could be achieved. 

Key words: Cuttings, Kalanchoe blosfeldiana, paclobtrazol, uniconazole.

International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management ISSN 5423-5294 Vol. 2 (3), pp. 001-007, March, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Response of maize and cucumber intercrop to soil moisture control through irrigation and mulching during the dry season in Nigeria

Josiah M. Ayotamuno¹*, K. Zuofa², Sunday A. Ofori² and Reginald B. Kogbara¹

¹Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, P.M.B. 5080, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

²Department of Crop / Soil Science, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, P.M.B. 5080, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Accepted 20 September, 2014

Abstract

Replicate field plots were used in experiments aimed at evaluating the yield potentials of maize and cucumber intercrop resulting from the control of soil moisture through irrigation and mulching, for a period of eleven weeks. Three irrigation depths, 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 mm; and two mulch levels, zero mulch and 10 ton/ha of oil palm bunch refuse as mulch material were employed, while the third option involved the combination of the different levels of irrigation and mulching. These were used alongside fertilizer application. The pertinent growth and yield parameters were then determined. Results of the analysis indicated that there were no significant differences in growth parameters such as plant height, vine length and days to 50% flowering across the treatment variants. Yield components such as total grain yield, total fresh cob yield and total fruit yield differed greatly across the treatment options and also indicated significance at the 1% probability level. It was observed that cucumber total fruit yield was greater in the plots that received only mulching than the other plots. The results of the study highlight the position that the best crop yields would be obtained for maize and cucumber intercrop during the dry season, if farmers resort to optimum application levels while using the synergy of irrigation and mulching to achieve a crop favorable soil moisture regime.

Key words: Maize, cucumber, total fresh cob yield, total grain yield, total fruit yield, irrigation, mulching, oil palm bunch refuse, plant height, vine length.

International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management ISSN 5423-5294 Vol. 2 (2), pp. 001-008, February, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Variation of productivity and nutritive values of oat (Avena sativa) with geographical locations in Gansu Province of Northwest China under irrigation and fertilization conditions

Xiangfeng Zhang¹, Shikui Dong^1*, Xujiang Yun² and Zizhi Hu³

¹School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, P. R. China.

²Animal Feed and Forage Division, China Agriculture Department, Beijing, 100020 P. R. China.

³Grassland Science College, Gansu Agricultural University, 730070, Lanzhou, P.R. China.

Accepted 11 November, 2014

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted in low, medium and high sites; Jingqianghe, Huangzangsi and Lanzhou areas of Gansu Province, China from 2000 to 2001 to investigate the effects of geographical locations on herbage dry matter (DM) yield and nutritive values of oat. It was found that the plant growing in Jingqianghe area yielded the highest forages (16046.0 DM/hm2) at high accumulation rate (300 kg ha-1d-1) and within long growing season (120 d), the plant growing in Huazangsi area produced medium quantity of forages (13020.3 DM/hm2) at low accumulation rate (200 kg ha-1d-1) but within long growing season (120 d), and the plant growing in Lanzhou area had the lowest forage yield (12505.7 kg DM/hm2) at relatively high accumulation rate (270 kg ha- 1d-1) but within extremely short growing season (50 d). The highest seed production of 3789.3 kg DM/hm2 annually was observed in Huangzangsi area, the lowest seed production of 933.7 kg DM/hm2 annually was found in Jingqianghe area, and the medium seed production of 1632.7 kg DM/hm2 annually was recorded in Lanzhou area. The plant growing in high site of Jinqianghe area concentrated more (P < 0.05) crude fat than that growing in low site of Lanzhou area, and no significant difference in organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and crude fibre (CF) concentrations of the plant was observed among different growing sites. No significant difference (P > 0.05) in in sacco degradability (ISD) of the plant among different growing sites was observed in the whole growing season. It was concluded from this study forage production should be conducted in high site of Jingqianghe area and seed production of oat should be conducted in low site of Lanzhou area with enough water and fertilizer supply.

Key words: oat (Avena sativa), air temperature, solar radiation, forage production and quality.

International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management ISSN 5423-5294 Vol. 2 (1), pp. 001-007, January, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full length Research paper

Effect of water application method and deficit irrigation on yield, quality and irrigation water use efficiency of litchi (Litchi Chinensis Sonn.) cv Shahi

Santosh S. Mali^1*, Bikas Das², Pratap R. Bhatnagar³

ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region,Research Centre Ranchi – 834 010.

Accepted 13 October, 2013

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to study the efficacy of deficit irrigation on litchi crop under two deficit irrigation (DI) strategies viz. reducing the quantity applied (Quantitative Deficit) and prolonging the period without irrigation (Temporal Deficit). Under quantitative deficit water was applied at 60, 40 and 20 % of ETc, where ETc is crop evapotranspiration. Temporal deficit was achieved through different irrigation start times viz. from 1^stFebruary (pre flowering), 1^stMarch (start of fruiting) and 1^stApril (start of fruit development stage). Results showed that comparable litchi yields can be obtained even with deficit irrigation. Drip irrigation system recorded highest fruit weight (22.6 g) at 60 % ETc and irrigation starting from 1^stMarch. The prolonged moisture stress between two irrigations under basin system resulted in lowest fruit length, smallest fruit diameter and higher fruit cracking percentage. Deficit water application under drip system resulted in higher reducing sugar content (7.5 %) of litchi fruits. Highest IWUE (57.1 g/m3) was observed in case of drip irrigation having 20 % ETc level and irrigation starting from 1^stApril. Deficit irrigation showed great potential to increase the irrigation water use efficiency of litchi production with slight deviation in potential yield.

Key Words: Deficit irrigation, water use efficiency, litchi, drip irrigation.