Effect of Deficit Irrigation Levels at Different Growth Stages on Onion Yield and Water Productivity Under Furrow Irrigation Method, Silte Zone, Ethiopia

2022/09/04 by Tagesse Bekele, Bekele, Tagesse, Shimelis Assefa +3
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Arts and Humanities · #Irrigation Practices and Water Management #Garlic and Onion Studies #Medical Research and Islamic Perspectives

paper · doi:10.20372/5q2dhf16

Abstract

Water scarcity is the most severe constraint for agricultural growth in arid and semi-arid areas. To overcome this, there is a need to use the scarce water efficiently and economically which is an important strategy to address present and future water need. This study was conducted for two years in Misrak Azernet Berbere Woreda starting 2017/18 to investigate the effect of defict irrigation levels at different growth stages on yield and water productivity of onion. The experiment has nine deficit irrigation levels as a treatment including control treatment and were laid out in randomized completed block design with three replication. The results indicated that deficit irrigation levels at different growth stages had significantly (p<0.05)) affected the yield and yield water productivity of onion. The highest marketable yield (28.68ton/ha) was obtained from 20% deficit irrigation at late stage whereas lowest yield (14.42 ton/ha) was recorded from 40% deficit irrigation in all growth stages.Treatment 9,2,6 and 8 have no statistically significant difference on yield. The highest water productive (8.77 kg/m3) was obtained from treatment 2 (20% deficit irrigation throughout the season). The lowest marginal rate of return(5.17birr) was obtained from treatment (20% at developmentstage (40% deficit irrigation at mid stage and 20% at late stage). These results confirmed that with deficit irrigation practice it is possible to increase water productivity by saving water and increase income from scarce water. Therefore, it was recommended that applying at 20% deficit irrigation of crop water requirement throughout season in four days irrigation interval is beneficial for obtaining optimum onion yield and increases water productive. The farmers should also use treatment (20% at developmentstage /40% at mid stage and 20% at late stage) deficit irrigation of crop water requirement to save scarce irrigation water and to gained better economic return as optional.

Related

• Factors affecting onion production: An empirical study in the Raya Kobo district, Amhara regional state, Ethiopia
• Factors affecting onion production: An empirical study in the Raya Kobo district, Amhara regional state, Ethiopia
• Studies on Hydraulic Performance of Furrow Irrigation to Optimize Design Parameters Suitable to Onion Field in Hawassa, Ethiopia
• Abstract Onion is a vital vegetable crop in Ethiopia, with significant economic and health benefits. However, its production trend is not consistent, with periods of increase and decrease; and its productivity in the country falls far below its potential. As a result, farmers are not yet fully benefited from onion production. Thus, this study was initiated to identify the factors influencing onion production in the Raya Kobo District of Amhara Regional State of Ethiopia. Data was collected from 189 onion-producing farmers through household surveys, and both descriptive and econometric techniques were used for analysis. The study found significant variation in onion production among farmers, with lower levels compared to national and international averages. Factors such as gender, education level, experience, labor force, land size, access to extension services, irrigation water, land plough frequency, and fertilizer availability positively impact onion production. However, excessive fertilizer use was found to have a negative effect. The study also identified challenges faced by farmers, including input shortages, high costs, diseases, labor issues, soil infertility, and storage knowledge gaps. The study recommends policymakers and stakeholders to utilize these findings to develop effective policies and interventions that can enhance onion production, benefiting farmers and improving the overall onion production.
• Abstract Onion is a vital vegetable crop in Ethiopia, with significant economic and health benefits. However, its production trend is not consistent, with periods of increase and decrease; and its productivity in the country falls far below its potential. As a result, farmers are not yet fully benefited from onion production. Thus, this study was initiated to identify the factors influencing onion production in the Raya Kobo District of Amhara Regional State of Ethiopia. Data was collected from 189 onion-producing farmers through household surveys, and both descriptive and econometric techniques were used for analysis. The study found significant variation in onion production among farmers, with lower levels compared to national and international averages. Factors such as gender, education level, experience, labor force, land size, access to extension services, irrigation water, land plough frequency, and fertilizer availability positively impact onion production. However, excessive fertilizer use was found to have a negative effect. The study also identified challenges faced by farmers, including input shortages, high costs, diseases, labor issues, soil infertility, and storage knowledge gaps. The study recommends policymakers and stakeholders to utilize these findings to develop effective policies and interventions that can enhance onion production, benefiting farmers and improving the overall onion production.