Impacts of fertigation via surface and subsurface drip irrigation on growth rate, yield and flower quality of Zinnia elegans

Fertigation is one of the most important application of irrigation that are being used in commercial farming. This aplication help farmers to timely supply the water through drip irrigation coupled with accurate amout of water, rate of fertilizer application, and at the same time improving the nutrient uptake and water use efficiency (WUE) by the plant. The water supply through surface and subsurface drip irrigation system is the most efficient irrigation practice compared to others.Water supply from subsurface drip irrigation system is directly into the root zone, while for surface drip irrigation, water is supplied above the root zone. However, the use of surface drip irrigation system can cause the irrigation water easily evaporate to environment and reduce the WUE by plant. Rockmelon (cucumis melo) was selected as plant material in this study. Rockmelon is one of the plant that contain sweet and juicy along with other nutritional value. It also has commercial interest in a number of countries, including Europe, the United States, Mediterranean and Asia. The objectives of the study were to observe the different growth rate of rockmelon between surface and subsurface drip irrigation as well as to observe the efficiency of irrigation. This study was conducted under the rain shelter at Unit Fertigasi Projek Keusahawanan Ladang 10, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). There were two treatments of irrigation tested, surface drip irrigation and subsurface drip irrigation. Data collection include leaf diameter, leaf length and fruit circumferences. The effect of irrigation on growth performance of rockmelon were observe during week one and week six and was analyzed with Statistically Analysis System (SAS). The result of this study showed that, the growth for surface drip irrigation is higher compared to subsurface drip irrigation and both of the treatments achieved 25% of irrigation application efficiency.

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Subsurface Drip Irrigation and Fertigation of Broccoli

Soil Science Society of America Journal ◽

10.2136/sssaj2002.0178 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 66 (1) ◽

pp. 178 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Thomas L. Thompson ◽

Thomas A. Doerge ◽

Ronald E. Godin

Keyword(s):

Drip Irrigation ◽

Subsurface Drip Irrigation ◽

Subsurface Drip

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Behaviour of the fecal pollution indicators in a soil irrigated with treated wastewater under onsurface and subsurface drip irrigation

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2000.0294 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 42 (1-2) ◽

pp. 75-79 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

C. Campos ◽

G. Oron ◽

M. Salgot ◽

L. Gillerman

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Drip Irrigation ◽

Organic Matter Content ◽

Fecal Pollution ◽

Fecal Coliforms ◽

Subsurface Drip Irrigation ◽

Treated Wastewater ◽

Reclaimed Wastewater ◽

Pollution Indicators ◽

Subsurface Drip

A critical objective for any wastewater reuse programme is to minimise health and environmental hazard. When applying wastewater to soil–plant systems, it is to be noted that the passage of water through the soil considerably reduces the number of microorganisms carried by the reclaimed wastewater. Factors that affect survival include number and type of microorganisms, soil organic matter content, temperature, moisture, pH, rainfall, sunlight, protection provided by foliage and antagonism by soil microflora. The purpose of this work was to examine the behaviour of fecal pollution indicators in a soil irrigated with treated wastewater under onsurface and subsurface drip irrigation. The experiment was conducted in a vineyard located at a commercial farm near the City of Arad (Israel). Wastewater and soil samples were monitored during the irrigation period and examined for fecal coliforms, somatic and F+ coliphages and helminth eggs. Physico-chemical parameters were controlled in order to determine their relationship with removal of microorganisms. The results showed high reduction of the concentration of microorganisms when wastewater moves through the soil; and a good correlation between the reduction of fecal pollution indicators and moisture content, organic matter concentration and pH. The application of secondary treated domestic wastewater in this specific soil and under these irrigation systems affect the survival of microorganisms, thus reducing the health and environmental risk.

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