Optimizing potato yield with drip irrigation in rain deficient regions
| MSI99P1620 | |
| Soopaya, R. | |
| University of Mauritius, Faculty of Agriculture, Réduit | |
| Optimizing potato yield with drip irrigation in rain deficient regions | |
| Project, BSc (Hons), Crop Science and Production | |
| Thesis | |
| 1994 | |
| 131 p., 20 figs.,16 pl.,3 tbls.,appen. | |
| En | |
| En | |
| In Mauritius, agricultural diversification program is beset by two main constraints, namely: land and water resources scarcity. Therefore, there is a pressing need to optimize the use of both in order to attain national objectives. A drip irrigated potato (Solanum tuberosum cv. Spunta) trial was laid out under sub humid condition (1450 mm) of Belle Vue. The objective was to develop an irrigation schedule for potato under that micro climate that would optimize both tuber yield and use of drip irrigation water. Four irrigation regimes were applied; ET x crop factor, 4 mm/day, Pan evaporation estimates and 8 mm/day. Tensiometers installed at 15, 40 and 60 cm and a neutron probe were used to monitor soil moisture conditions and evolution of water content beneath root zone. Their effects on crop growth and development were assessed as well. The 8 mm/day treatment gave higher tuber yield; 34.04 t/ha for 352.5 mm of irrigation water applied whereas the ET treatment had the lowest yield; 26.04 t/ha for 185.7 mm water applied. Tensiometer and neutron probe readings indicated that ET and 4 mm/day treatments were being under irrigated as soil water potential in the first 30 cm soil prodile was maintained below -7.5 kPa especially during tuber bulking stage. This restricted water supply, though it improved water use efficiency (WUE) in the driest treatment but led to reduction in canopy development and net assimilation rate (NAR). The drought condition also favoured thrips (Thrips palmi) attack that eventually led to complete devastation of the crop after 75 days. There were indications that the two other treatments were over irrigated at some stages in the growing cycle. New Et crop factors (kc) for micro climate were estimated based upon neutron probe readings from the wettest treatments and evaporation estimates (ETo) calculated using Penman formula. The crop factor when combined with evaporation estimates, might give the potato water requirements for that micro climate. This will have to be confirmed in future trials. | |
| POTATOES IRRIGATION TRICKLE IRRIGATION PLANT PHYSIOLOGY SOIL MOISTURE | |
| MAURITIUS | |
| Potatoes | |
| 1995-01-24 | |
| En | |
| CAT | |
| PHYSIOL |