Effect of Furrow Irrigation Methods and Spacing on Yield and Water Productivity of Wheat at Melkassa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Water availability is becoming a critical issue for irrigated crops in the Rift valley basin in Ethiopia. Therefore, enhancing water productivity of irrigated crops through water management is a vital option. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of furrow irrigation method and spacing on yield and water productivity of wheat. A field experiment was conducted at Awash Melkassa Agricultural Research Center on three types of furrow irrigation methods (Alternate furrow (AFI), fixed furrow (FFI) and conventional furrow (CFI)) and three furrow spacing (40 cm, 50 cm and 60 cm) with three replications. The design was split-plot design, in which furrow irrigation methods were used as the sub-plot while furrow spacing was used as main-plot and the data was analyzed using statistix10 software. The results of the analysis on yield, yield components, growth parameters and water productivity indicate that there was a significant difference (p<0.05 in the furrow irrigation method and spacing. The interaction effect of furrow irrigation method and spacing was non-significant. The highest growth, yield and yield components including water productivity were obtained due to 50 cm furrow spacing. The highest grain yield (4630.3 Kg/ha) was observed under 50 cm furrow spacing which has no significance difference with 60 cm furrow spacing. The minimum grain yield (3837.4 Kg/ha) was recorded under 40 cm furrow spacing. The highest water productivity (2.1 kg/m3) was obtained due to alternate furrow irrigation method which was statistically superior than conventional and fixed furrow irrigation method at (P<0.05) and the lowest water productivity (1.25 Kg/ha) was observed under conventional furrow irrigation method.The interaction effect of furrow irrigation method and spacing on yield and water productivity of wheat was not significance at(P<0,05). Alternate furrow irrigation method and 50 cm spacing can improve water productivity by saving 50% of irrigation water applied under conventional furrow irrigation method which is used to irrigate additional area. In economic analysis alternate furrow irrigation method showed the best benefit cost ratio results. Therefore, this study suggests that, for maximizing water productivity and water saved alternate furrow irrigation method and 50 cm furrow spacing is recommended in the study are without significant yield reduction than conventional furrow irrigation method.