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Effect of Deficit Irrigation and Mulch on Onion Seed Production

Dr. S. K. Biswas
Senior Scientific Officer
Irrigation and Water Management (IWM) Division, BARI, Gazipur-1701

D. K. Roy
Scientific Officer
IWM Division, BARI, Gazipur-1701

A. R. Akanda
Chief Scientific Officer
IWM Division, BARI, Gazipur-1701

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The effect of deficit irrigation and mulch on seed yield, water use and water productivity of onion was conducted in 2012 - 2013 and 2013 - 2014 during rabi season at the experimental field of IWM Division, BARI, Gazipur. Eight treatments comprising of four levels of irrigation regimes (irrigating up to 40, 60, 80, and 100% soil moisture deficit (SMD)) and two levels of mulching (no-mulch and rice straw) were tried. Results revealed that water use was influenced. Total water use ranged from 177 to 262 mm with minimum in mulch treatment of 40% DSM and maximum in full irrigated treatment. Total water used by the mulched treatments was only 5.08% lower than that of the non-mulched treatments. Mulching with rice straw did significantly improve the water productivity of the onion seed crop. The water productivity was found to be the highest (0.71 kg m-3) in the mulched treatment that received irrigation up to 80% DSM with total water use of 220 mm. BCR obtained under deficit irrigated (up to 80% DSM) mulched treatment (5.17) was comparable with that of full irrigated-mulched treatment (5.21). However, irrigating up to 80% DSM with mulch gave the best result for seed production of onion.

Keywords: Deficit irrigation, Water productivity, Straw mulch, Onion Seed

Location: IWM Division, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur

Start Date: 00-00-2012

End Date: 00-00-2014

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Water management

Objectives:

To evaluate the effect of mulch and deficit irrigation on the yield and quality of onion seed
To assess the economic feasibility in relation to mulch used for onion seed production.

Methodology:

Field experiment was conducted at the experimental field of IWM Division, BARI, Gazipur during the rabi season of 2012 -2013 and 2013-2014. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with eight irrigation treatments and replicated thrice. Irrigation treatments were: T₁ = Irrigation up to 100% of deficit soil moisture (DSM), T₂ = Irrigation up to 100% of DSM + straw mulch, T₃ = Irrigation up to 80% of DSM, T₄ = Irrigation up to 80% of DSM + straw mulch, T₅ = Irrigation up to 60% of DSM, T₆ = Irrigation up to 60% of DSM + straw mulch, T₇ = Irrigation up to 40% of DSM, T₈ = Irrigation up to 40% of DSM + straw mulch. All treatments received irrigation at vegetative, bolting, flowering and seed formation stages. Unit plot size was 3 m x 1.5 m. Recommended doses of fertilizer was applied. Nitrogen was applied in three equal splits. Onion bulbs of BARI Piaz-1 were planted on 17 November, 2012 in the first year and 16 November 2013 in the second year in 25 cm apart rows maintaining plant to plant distance of 20 cm. Straw mulch was placed 10 days after planting of onion bulbs at a rate of 5 t/ha. Weeding was done. Crop was protected from diseases and pests by spraying pesticide at a regular 15 days interval up to flowering. Soil moisture was monitored at 15 cm increment of depth up to 45 cm. Amount of water needed for each treatment was calculated. Crop was harvested on 29 March, 2013 and 31 March 2014 in the first and second year, respectively. Ten plants from each plot were selected randomly for collection of data on growth, yield components and yield. Data were analyzed statistically following MSTAT-C and the mean differences were evaluated by Least Significant Difference (LSD).

Source of Information: IWM Annual Report 2014, BARI, Gazipur

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Deficit irrigation and mulching with rice straw exerted a significant positive effects on seed yield, water use and crop water productivity of onion crop. Mulching with rice straw gave a yield increase of about 1.36–5.46% compared to non-mulched condition under higher irrigation regimes of 80 and 100% DSM. But a big difference (12-17%) in yield was found between mulched and non-mulched treatments under irrigation regimes of 40 and 60% DSM. Total water use of the onion seed crop was largely influenced by amount of water applied rather than mulching. Deficit irrigation with mulching gave higher water productivity compared to non-mulched condition. The water productivity was found to be the highest (0.71 kg/m³) in mulched treatment that received irrigation up to 80% DSM. BCR obtained under deficit irrigated (up to 80% DSM) treatment was comparable with that of full irrigated treatment. Therefore, in terms of yield, water productivity and economics, irrigating up to 80% DSM with straw mulch can be recommended for seed production of onion.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings