International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management

International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management ISSN 2756-3804 Vol. 10 (2), pp. 001-011, February, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Soil and leaf nutrient status of noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) as influenced by drip irrigation and manurial treatments

S. Muthu Kumar* and V. Ponnuswami

Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Periyakulam, Theni District-625604, Tamil Nadu, India. *Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +919942949505.

Accepted 4 January, 2023

Abstract

An investigation was carried out at Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Periyakulam to find out the effect of various irrigation regimes and manurial treatments on soil and leaf nutrient status of noni (Morinda citrifolia L.). The experiment was carried out in split plot design with irrigation regimes on main plot and manurial treatments on sub plot. Among the treatment combination, M₂S₇ (100% WRc through drip irrigation + 100% recommended dose of NPK through inorganic fertilizers) showed the highest soil available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content. The same treatment combination recorded the increased leaf nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content during vegetative, flowering and harvesting stages.

Key words: Morinda citrifolia L., drip irrigation, check basin method of irrigation, farmyard manure, vermicompost, coir pith compost, inorganic fertilizers, soil nutrient status, leaf nutrient status.

International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management ISSN 2756-3804 Vol. 10 (2), pp. 001-013, February, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Rhizosphere microflora of noni (Morinda citrifolia) as influenced by organic manures and drip irrigation

S. Muthu Kumar* and V. Ponnuswami

Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Periyakulam,

Theni District- 625604, Tamil Nadu, India.*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +919942949505.

Accepted 4 January, 2023

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Periyakulam to elucidate the effect of different irrigation regimes and organic manures on rhizosphere microbial population of noni (Morinda citrifolia). The trial was carried out in split plot design with irrigation regimes on main plot (four levels) and organic manures on sub plot (eight levels) with two replications. Among the different treatment combinations, M₂S₄ (100% WRc through drip irrigation + 50% farmyard manure + 50% vermicompost) registered the highest rhizosphere bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, Azotobacter, Azospirillum and phosphobacteria population. The same treatment also recorded the highest score for organic matter decomposition. The rhizosphere microflora activity and organic matter decomposition was found to be the lowest in M₄S₇ (check basin method of irrigation + 100% recommended dose of NPK through inorganic fertilizers).

Key words: Morinda citrifolia, drip irrigation, farmyard manure, vermicompost, inorganic fertilizers, microbialpopulation, organic matter decomposition.

International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management ISSN 2756-3804 Vol. 10 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Agro physiological characteristics of quality protein maize genotypes as influenced by irrigation and plant population in a semi arid Region of Nigeria

B. M. Sani¹*, I. U. Abubakar², A. M. Falaki², H. Mani² and M. M. Jaliya¹

¹Agricultural Engineering and Irrigation Department, National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services, NAERLS, Ahmadu Bello University, P.M.B 1067, Zaria, Nigeria.

²Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture/Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, P.M.B 1044, Zaria, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]; Tel: +234-806-813-4944.

Accepted 9 October, 2022

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to assess the response of agrophysiological characters of quality protein maize genotypes to plant population under irrigated conditions in a semi arid ecology of Northern Nigeria. Field trials were conducted at the Irrigation Research Station, Institute for Agricultural Research, Kadawa (11° 39’N, 08° 20’E) and 500 m above sea level) during 2007, 2008 and 2009 dry seasons to study the effect of (Zea mays L.) genotypes (TZE-W Pop X 1368, EV-DT W99 STR and DMR-ESRW), four plant population (33,333, 44,444, 55,555 and 66,666 plants ha^-1) and three irrigation scheduling (40, 60 and 80 centibars soil moisture tension) on the growth and yield of quality protein maize. A split plot design was used with combinations of genotypes and irrigation regimes assigned to the main plot and plant population assigned to the sub-plot. The treatments were replicated three times. The study revealed that genotype EV-DT W99 STR recorded significantly higher relative growth rate, crop growth rate and net assimilation rate. Increase in plant population significantly decreased leaf area index and net assimilation rate. Delayed irrigation significantly depressed total dry matter production. Based on the results obtained in this study, it can be concluded that the use of genotype EV-DT W99 STR, at 60 centibars irrigation scheduling and 55,555 plants ha^-1 had resulted in good agrophysiological characters of QPM at Kadawa.

Key words: Quality protein maize genotypes, plant population, irrigation, agrophysiological characteristics.

International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management ISSN 2756-3804 Vol. 10 (1), pp. 001-012, January, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Management of nitrogen fertilizer, irrigation and plant density in onion production using response surface methodology as optimization approach

Hamed Mansouri¹*, Mohammad Bannayan¹, Parviz Rezvani Moghaddam¹ and Amir Lakzian²

¹Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

²Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

Accepted 22 January, 2022

Abstract

Response surface methodology (RSM) is defined as a collection of mathematical and statistical methods that are used to optimize a product or a process. In order to determinate optimum levels of nitrogen (N), water volume and plant density of onion (Allium cepa L.), and field experiment was carried out according to a central composite design as RSM in Azarshahr County, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran –repeated over two years (2011 and 2012). The treatments were designed based on low and high levels of N, irrigation and plant density as independent variables. Furthermore, bulb yield, N losses, N uses efficiency (NUE) and water use efficiency (WUE) were measured as response variables in a full quadratic polynomial model. Optimum rates of N, irrigation and plant density was suggested to achieve the target range of response variables based on three scenarios: Economic, environmental and eco-environmental. The results showed that increasing of N fertilizer up to 160 kg N ha^-1 led to increase in bulb yield. The amounts of 93.48 kg N ha^-1, 8930 m³ water ha^-1 and 42.67 onions m^-2 was found to be the optimum conditions for eco-environmental scenario. In general, it seems that resource use based on eco-environmental scenario may be the most favorable cropping strategy in onion production.

Key words: Environment N losses, N uses efficiency (NUE), water use efficiency (WUE).

International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management ISSN 2756-3804 Vol. 9 (1), pp. 001-011, January, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Impact Evaluation of an Operational Satellite-based Integrated Rice Advisory System in Northeastern Bangladesh

Faisal Hossain¹, Bilqis Amin Hoque², Tofayel Ahmed², Sufia Khanam², Nishan Kumar Biswas³, Ali Shafqat Akanda⁴, Md. Shah Kamal Khan⁵ and Michiko Katagami⁶

¹Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington, USA.

²Environment and Population Research Center Bangladesh.

³Universities Space Research Association NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, USA.

⁴Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering University of Rhode Island, Kingston, USA.

⁵Department of Agricultural Extension, Bangladesh.

⁶Asian Development Bank Philippines.

Accepted 18 December, 2021 

Abstract

During the 2021 winterseason (January–May), locally known as Boro season, an Integrated Rice Advisory System (IRAS) was launched for Northeastern Bangladesh. IRAS transmitted text advisory to farmers on optimum ways to irrigate while safeguarding crop yield. These texts were generated on the basis of weather, satellite data, estimated water consumption by crops and modeled crop water need. To quantify the impact of IRAS, a survey was carried out for a cross sectional sample of 983 farmers and pump owners who were divided into control and experimental groups. On an average, experimental farmers receiving IRAS advisory irrigated 32% less than the control group during the Boro season. Experimental pump owners with greater control of irrigation irrigated 44% less than control pump owners. Ninety-four percent of experimental farmers and 97 percent of experimental pump owners reported IRAS to be either useful or very useful. Eighty percent of experimental farmers and 87% of pump owners reported the weather forecast to be the most useful component for making decisions to avoid unnecessary irrigation. IRAS advisory triggered a change in decision for 80% and 88% of experimental farmers and experimental pump owners, respectively. Experimental group of farmers on average reported 30% higher earnings than their control counterparts.

Keywords: Bangladesh, irrigation, rice, satellite, weather, advisory, impact evaluation.

International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management ISSN 2756-3804 Vol. 9 (1), pp. 001-005, January, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Improved agricultural technologies, prelude to higher yields of maize: A case study of two farmer based organizations in Ghana

Osei K.*, Gyasi-Boakye S., Agyeman A., Afriyie E. and Berchie J. N.

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Crops Research Institute, Box 3785, Kumasi, Ghana.

Accepted 03 December, 2021

Abstract

Maize production in Ghana is characterized by very low technological input which translates to lower yields. Informal training organized at the instance of the Millennium Development Authority for Farmer Based Organizations and facilitated by the Crops Research Institute impacted positively on yield. This study examined the extent to which two FBOs in the Akwapim South Municipality of the Eastern Region adopted improved agricultural practices prior to and after the training. Significantly high (58%) of farmers were in the old age bracket (>45) years. Farmers had considerable experience with 56% having engaged in the farming business for over twenty years. As low as 8.5% of farmers used improved maize varieties and practiced row planting. Only 13% applied fertilizers however, all farmers sowed seed on time and treated seed against soil pests before sowing. None of the farmers was aware that 9 kg seed maize was required for one acre of field. Average yield of maize increased significantly (10.9 bags/acre) when farmers adopted good agricultural practices taught them using a “starter pack” inputs supplied to them after the training compared with (1.5 bags/acre) realized prior to the training.

Key words: Adoption, farmer based organizations, good agricultural practices, improved maize varieties, Zea mays.