scholarly journals Pigeonpea Yield and Water Use Efficiency: A Savior under Climate Change-Induced Water Stress

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Misheck Musokwa ◽  
Paramu Mafongoya

Frequent droughts have threatened the crop yields and livelihoods of many smallholder farmers in South Africa. Pigeonpea can be grown by farmers to mitigate the impacts of droughts caused by climate change. An experiment was conducted at Fountainhill Farm from January 2016 to December 2017. The trial examined grain yield in addition to water use efficiency (WUE) of pigeonpea intercropped with maize versus sole pigeonpea and maize. A randomized complete block design, replicated three times, was used. Soil water tension was measured at 20, 50, and 120 cm within plots. The highest and lowest soil water tension was recorded at 20 m and 120 m respectively. Combined biomass and grain yield were significantly different: pigeonpea + maize (5513 kg ha−1) > pigeonpea (3368 kg ha−1) > maize (2425 kg ha−1). A similar trend was observed for WUE and land equivalent ratio (LER), where pigeonpea + maize outperformed all sole cropping systems. The inclusion of pigeonpea in a traditional mono-cropping system is recommended for smallholder farmers due to greater WUE, LER and other associated benefits such as food, feed and soil fertility amelioration, and it can reduce the effects of droughts induced by climate change.

Author(s):  
Adriano B. Pacheco ◽  
Tonny J. A. da Silva ◽  
Edna M. Bonfim-Silva ◽  
Hamilton A. W. Castro ◽  
Marcio Koetz

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the yield and water use of cherry tomatoes under soil water availability and potassium (K) doses in a greenhouse. The experiment was conducted in randomized blocks in a 52 fractional factorial design, corresponding to five levels of water availability and five K doses, with 13 combinations (4-0; 4-250; 4-500; 14-125; 14-375; 24-0; 24-250; 24-500; 34-125; 34-375; 44-0; 44-250; 44-500) (kPa-mg dm-3) and four replicates. A drip irrigation system with semi-automated irrigation control was used. The analyzed variables were shoot dry matter, number of fruits, yield, water consumption and water use efficiency. Highest cherry tomato yield occurs at soil water tension of 24 kPa and K dose of 290 mg dm-3. Soil water tension of 44 kPa and K dose of 290 mg dm-3 allow for higher water use efficiency in cherry tomato. Cherry tomato yield and water use are influenced by soil water availability and K doses in greenhouse.


2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (7) ◽  
pp. 1145-1150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Fonseca de Carvalho ◽  
Dionizio Honório de Oliveira Neto ◽  
Luiz Fernando Felix ◽  
José Guilherme Marinho Guerra ◽  
Conan Ayade Salvador

ABSTRACT: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different irrigation depths on the yield, water use efficiency (WUE), and yield response factor (Ky) of carrot (cv. 'Brasília') in the edaphoclimatic conditions of Baixada Fluminense, RJ, Brazil. Field trials were conducted in a Red-Yellow Argisol in the 2010-2011period. A randomized block design was used, with 5 treatments (depths) and 4 replicates. Depths were applied by drippers with different flow rates, and the irrigation was managed by time domain reflectometry (TDR) technique. The reference (ETo) and crop (ETc) evapotranspiration depths reached 286.3 and 264.1mm in 2010, and 336.0 and 329.9mm in 2011, respectively. The root yield varied from 30.4 to 68.9t ha-1 as a response to treatments without irrigation and 100% replacement of the soil water depth, respectively. Values for WUE in the carrot crop varied from 15 to 31kg m-3 and the mean Ky value was 0.82. The mean values for Kc were obtained in the initial (0.76), intermediate (1.02), and final (0.96) stages. Carrot crop was influenced by different water depths (treatments) applied, and the highest value for WUE was obtained for 63.4% of soil water replacement.


Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2761
Author(s):  
Misheck Musokwa ◽  
Paramu L. Mafongoya ◽  
Paxie W. Chirwa

Maize production under smallholder systems in South Africa (RSA) depends on rainfall. Incidences of dry spells throughout the growing season have affected maize yields negatively. The study examined water distribution and water use efficiency (WUE) of maize rotated with two-year pigeonpea fallows as compared to continuous maize without fertilizer. A randomized complete block design, replicated three times, was used with four treatments, which included continuous unfertilized maize, natural fallow-maize, pigeonpea + grass-pigeonpea-maize, and two-year pigeonpea fallow-maize. Soil water mark sensors were installed 0.2; 0.5; and 1.2 m on each plot to monitor soil water tension (kPa). Soil samples were analyzed using pressure plates to determine water retention curves which were used to convert soil water tension to volumetric water content. Maize rotated with two-year pigeonpea fallows had higher dry matter yield (11,661 kg ha−1) and WUE (20.78 kg mm−1) than continuous maize (5314 kg ha−1 and 9.48 kg mm−1). In this era of water scarcity and drought incidences caused by climate change, maize rotated with pigeonpea fallows is recommended among smallholder farmers in RSA because of its higher WUE, hence food security will be guaranteed.


Irriga ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 454-466
Author(s):  
Leonardo Chechi ◽  
Luan Junior Kuhn ◽  
Vanderléia Fortuna ◽  
Patricia Mara De Almeida ◽  
Maurício Albertoni Scariot ◽  
...  

As the water stress is one of the main causes for the low maize yield in Brazil, this study aimed to evaluate the yield components, grain yield and the water use efficiency of maize crop submitted to different methods of irrigation depth adjustment and validate the “Lâmina” spreadsheet to recommend irrigation depth in this crop. The treatments applied were: non-use of irrigation (control); irrigation depth adjustment provided by” Lâmina” spreadsheet (Lâmina); soil moisture equivalent to actual capacity of water in the soil at 55% of the total soil water capacity (55% RWC); and soil moisture equivalent to 100% of the field capacity (100% FC). The experimental design was a randomized block design with four replications, each experimental unit consists of a plot 3 meters wide and 3 meters long. The variables analyzed were total water applied, dry matter, ears per plant, kernel rows per ear, kernels per row, kernels per ear, one thousand kernels weight, grain yield and water use efficiency. Grain yields were similar between irrigated treatments, showing significant differences compared to the control. The Lâmina and 55% RWC showed the best results for water use efficiency and yield components. The Lâmina treatment used the least amount of water, with high yields, contributing to the rational water use in irrigated agricultural systems.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 205-216
Author(s):  
JOSIMAR SOARES DA SILVA JÚNIOR ◽  
EDSON ALVES BASTOS ◽  
MILTON JOSÉ CARDOSO ◽  
ADERSON SOARES DE ANDRADE JUNIOR ◽  
VALDENIR QUEIROZ RIBEIRO

ABSTRACT Cowpea is a legume of great socioeconomic importance for the North and Northeast regions of Brazil. However, studies to evaluate its production performance when cultivated under irrigated regime and under different plant densities are necessary. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of different water regimes and different plant densities on grain yield, production components and water use efficiency, and on the correlation between grain yield and production components of BRS Tumucumaque cowpea cultivar. The experiment was carried out at Embrapa Meio-Norte experimental area, in Teresina, Piauí State, Brazil, from June to September 2017, in an Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo eutrófico (Ultisol). A randomized complete block design was used, in a split-plot scheme with four replicates, in which the water regimes occupied the plots (187.7; 233.5; 263.5 and 288.7 mm) and plant densities, the subplots (12; 16; 20 and 24 plants m-2). The number of pods per plant, number of pods per square meter, pod length, dry grain yield and water use efficiency were evaluated. The maximum dry grain yield reached was 1,694.46 kg ha-1, with application of 288.7 mm and density of 20.4 plants m-2. The production component number of pods per square meter was the most correlated with dry grain yield.


2015 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 697
Author(s):  
Milton José Cardoso ◽  
Hélio Wilson Lemos de Carvalho ◽  
Edson Alves Bastos ◽  
Cleso Antonio Patto Pacheco ◽  
Leonardo Melo Pereira da Rocha

A adaptação climática de qualquer espécie vegetal tem estreita relação com seu padrão fenológico, influenciando na sua distribuição geográfica e sua flutuação nos ecossistemas. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o comportamento de 33 híbridos (26 híbridos simples, 6 híbridos triplos e um híbrido duplo) geneticamente modificados de milho em situações climáticas contrastantes - épocas de semeadura (ES), sob irrigação. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos casualizados com duas repetições. Os experimentos foram semeados em área da Embrapa Meio-Norte, município de Teresina, PI, em julho e setembro/2013. A temperatura máxima média no período do pendoamento ao espigamento na primeira época foi de 36,7 oC e na segunda época de 38,8 oC, contribuindo para uma redução na eficiência de uso da água (EUA) e dos componentes de rendimentos, números de espigas por área e do peso de espiga na ES de setembro. O rendimento de grãos e a EUA da ES de junho (9.876 kg ha-1; 17,3 kg ha-1 mm-1) foi superior em 25,1 % e 42,27 %, respectivamente, em relação a ES de setembro (7.900 kg ha-1; 11,97 kg ha-1 mm-1). Os híbridos AG 8041 PRO, 3646 HX, RB 9221 PRO, P 4225 H, 30 F 53 YH apresentam tolerância a altas temperaturas e usam melhor a água para a produção de grãos. The climate adaptation of any plant species is closely related to its phenology, influencing on its geographical distribution and its fluctuation in ecosystems. The objective this work was to evaluate the performance of 33 hybrids (26 single hybrids, six triples hybrids and one double hybrid) genetically modified corn in contrasting climatic conditions (two sowing dates) under irrigation. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with two replications. The experiments were sown in the Embrapa Mid-North, Teresina, Piauí State, in July and September / 2013. The average maximum temperature from bolting to heading during the first season was 36.7 °C and in second one was 38.8 oC, reducing the water use efficiency (WUE) and yield components, ear number per area and ear weight in september sowing. The grain yield and WUE of sowing June (9,876 kg ha-1, 17.3 kg ha-1 mm-1) was higher 25.1% and 42.27%, respectively, compared to sowing September (7,900 kg ha-1, 11.97 kg ha-1 mm-1). AG 8041 PRO, P 3646 HX, RB 9221 PRO, P 4225 H, 30 F 53 YH hybrids present tolerant to high temperatures and more efficient water use. Keywords: Heat tolerant, sowing date, Zea mays (L.).


1986 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 523 ◽  
Author(s):  
JM Morgan ◽  
AG Condon

Genotypic differences in turgor maintenance in wheat were shown to be associated with differences in grain yield in the field at both high and Low water deficits. High water deficits were produced by growing plants in field plots using water stored in the soil at sowing, and excluding rain with a rain cover. At low water deficits plants received rainfall, and irrigation was supplied before and immediately after sowing, at tillering, at jointing, at ear emergence, and during grain filling. Yield differences were analysed in terms of harvest index, water use, and water use efficiency. Water use was calculated from changes in soil water contents. At high water deficits all three factors were associated with differences in turgor maintenance. However, only the variations in water use and harvest index could be logically associated with differences in turgor maintenance. Analysis of the soil water extraction data showed that the differences in water use efficiency were due solely to differences in water use at depth while surface water losses were the same, i.e. the ratio of transpiration to soil evaporation would have been higher in low-osmoregulating genotypes. At low water deficits, no differences were observed in harvest index, though there were non-significant correlations between turgor maintenance and total water use efficiency or total water use. A similar result was obtained when the water use and yield data were related to osmoregulation measurements made in the glasshouse. It is therefore concluded that effects of turgor maintenance or osmoregulation on grain yield were primarily associated with differences in water use which were, in turn, due to differences in water extraction at soil depths between 25 and 150 cm.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 72
Author(s):  
S. Lamptey ◽  
Lingling Li ◽  
Junhong Xie

Water is one of the most important limiting factor of rainfed continuous maize (Zea mays L.) cropping systems in northwest of China. A three continuous year field experiments were conducted to study the influence of different nitrogen time of application on grain yield and water use efficiency of maize (Zea mays L.) in the Western Loess plateau. The experiment was laid in a randomized complete block design with two treatments and three replicates. Treatments were; (one-third application of N at sowing + two-third application at pre-flowering) and (one-third application of N at sowing + one-third pre-flowering + one-third at milking) as T1 and T2 respectively. The results showed that, T1 significantly increased grain yield by 9% in 2014 and 2016; and WUE by 11% in 2016 compared to T2. T1 increased AE by 43% compared to T2. Our results indicate that ⅓ application of Nitrogen at sowing and ⅔ application of Nitrogen at pre–flowering (T1) for maize is more appropriate for sustainable maize production in terms of satisfactory grain-N recoveries and low environmental losses of N fertilizer.


Water SA ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 47 (4 October) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lis Tavares Ordones Lemos ◽  
Fábio Ponciano de Deus ◽  
Valter Carvalho de Andrade Júnior ◽  
Michael Silveira Thebaldi ◽  
Marcio Mesquita ◽  
...  

Irrigated agriculture has become a concern, given the scarcity of freshwater. To reduce its water consumption, new techniques and technologies have been proposed. Based on this, the objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of different soil water tensions at initiation of irrigation with magnetically treated water, on ‘iceberg’ lettuce Lucy Brown (Lactuca Sativa L.) development and production. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, using a completely randomized factorial design, to evaluate two water types (magnetically treated water – MW and ordinary water – OW) and four soil water tensions at initiation of irrigation (T1 – 15 kPa, T2 – 25 kPa, T3 – 40 kPa and T4 – 70 kPa), with three replicates. Tensiometers were used to estimate soil water tension. The evaluated parameters were: aerial part fresh and dry total mass; commercial head fresh and dry mass, root fresh and dry mass; stem fresh and dry mass; stem length and diameter; percentage of leaves with tip burn, total and commercial yield; water use efficiency related to total and commercial yield; plant exposed area; and dry matter content. Despite achieving greater water use efficiency, the magnetic treatment may have hindered the removal of water from the soil by the crop, especially at increased soil water tension at initiation of irrigation.


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