EFFECT OF RAISED BED AND ALTERNATE FURROW IRRIGATION METHODS ON WATER SAVING AND YIELD OF SUNFLOWER

Department of Land and Water Management, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam, Pakistan

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the experimental site of Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam. The study assessed the effect of raised bed (RBIM) and alternate furrow (AFIM) irrigation methods on water saving and yield of sunflower. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design. The raised bed and alternate furrow irrigation methods were prepared manually using hand tools. Sunflower (cv. HO-1) was planted under raised bed and alternate furrow irrigation methods. Total volume of water applied under RBIM was 1359.49 m³ ha^-1, while under AFIM was 679.74 m³ ha^-1. Hence AFIM saved 50% of water compared to RBIM. The water application efficiency under RBIM was 30.98%, 34.21% and 37.45%, while under AFIM was 20.95%, 77.44% and 67.66% at the depths of 0-20, 21-40 and 41-60 cm, respectively. Yield of sunflower under RBIM was 2963.59 kg ha^-1, while under AFIM was 2661.39 kg ha^-1. Total crop water productivity under RBIM was 11.771 kg m³, while under AFIM was 21.142 kg m³. Hence AFIM may be adopted to save water and to achieve high yield of sunflower in water scarce areas of Sindh.