Evaluate the integrative effects of irrigation water level, furrow irrigation methods, and nitrogen fertilizer rate on tomato yield in semi-arid southern Ethiopia

This study investigates the integrative effects of irrigation water management allowable depletion (MAD), furrow irrigation methods (FIM), and nitrogen fertilizer application rate (NFAR) on tomato yield components. These yield components include marketable, unmarketable, and total yield. Additionall...

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Main Authors: Edmealem Temesgen Ebstu, Mekuanent Muluneh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:Heliyon
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024175822
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author Edmealem Temesgen Ebstu
Mekuanent Muluneh
author_facet Edmealem Temesgen Ebstu
Mekuanent Muluneh
author_sort Edmealem Temesgen Ebstu
collection DOAJ
description This study investigates the integrative effects of irrigation water management allowable depletion (MAD), furrow irrigation methods (FIM), and nitrogen fertilizer application rate (NFAR) on tomato yield components. These yield components include marketable, unmarketable, and total yield. Additionally, the study examines crop agronomy components such as plant height, number of branches, and root depth in semi-arid Southern Ethiopia. The research employs a factorial and split-plot design. Three types of FIM are assigned as the main plot, while three levels of irrigation water (50 %, 75 %, and 100 % MAD) and four levels of NFAR (0 %, 50 %, 100 %, and 150 % NFAR) serve as the subplots, with three replications. The study results reveal significant impacts of these factors. All p-values for tomato yield and agronomy-measured components are less than 0.05. FIM, irrigation water level, and NFAR interaction affect marketable, unmarketable, and total tomato yield. The results ranged from 2.3 tons ha⁻1–43.9 tons ha⁻1 for marketable yield, 0.8 tons ha⁻1–8 tons ha⁻1 for unmarketable yield, and 6.3 tons ha⁻1–45.2 tons ha⁻1 for total yield. The integration of 75 % MAD with 100 % NFAR under conventional furrow irrigation, and 100 % MAD with 100 % NFAR under alternative furrow irrigation, was most preferable. This approach resulted in no loss of nitrogen fertilizer and saved 25 % of irrigation water without reducing tomato yield. However, the interaction of deficit nitrogen fertilizer rate application, with or without full application of MAD and conventional or other furrow irrigation methods, caused the total yield to decrease. CFIM and AFIM with 100 % MAD and 100NFAR treatments yielded the highest profits, while the FFIM approach under 50%MAD and 0%NFAR conditions negatively impacted profitability. Therefore, by adopting the preferable practices, farmers can achieve higher productivity and sustainability in tomato cultivation. This approach addresses the challenges posed by water scarcity and nutrient limitations.
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spelling doaj-art-98db889372bf43eca40487f4273a5aef2025-01-17T04:51:37ZengElsevierHeliyon2405-84402025-01-01111e41551Evaluate the integrative effects of irrigation water level, furrow irrigation methods, and nitrogen fertilizer rate on tomato yield in semi-arid southern EthiopiaEdmealem Temesgen Ebstu0Mekuanent Muluneh1Faculty of Water Resources and Irrigation Engineering, Arba Minch Water Technology Institute, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia; Corresponding author.Water Resources Research Center, Arba Minch Water Technology Institute, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, EthiopiaThis study investigates the integrative effects of irrigation water management allowable depletion (MAD), furrow irrigation methods (FIM), and nitrogen fertilizer application rate (NFAR) on tomato yield components. These yield components include marketable, unmarketable, and total yield. Additionally, the study examines crop agronomy components such as plant height, number of branches, and root depth in semi-arid Southern Ethiopia. The research employs a factorial and split-plot design. Three types of FIM are assigned as the main plot, while three levels of irrigation water (50 %, 75 %, and 100 % MAD) and four levels of NFAR (0 %, 50 %, 100 %, and 150 % NFAR) serve as the subplots, with three replications. The study results reveal significant impacts of these factors. All p-values for tomato yield and agronomy-measured components are less than 0.05. FIM, irrigation water level, and NFAR interaction affect marketable, unmarketable, and total tomato yield. The results ranged from 2.3 tons ha⁻1–43.9 tons ha⁻1 for marketable yield, 0.8 tons ha⁻1–8 tons ha⁻1 for unmarketable yield, and 6.3 tons ha⁻1–45.2 tons ha⁻1 for total yield. The integration of 75 % MAD with 100 % NFAR under conventional furrow irrigation, and 100 % MAD with 100 % NFAR under alternative furrow irrigation, was most preferable. This approach resulted in no loss of nitrogen fertilizer and saved 25 % of irrigation water without reducing tomato yield. However, the interaction of deficit nitrogen fertilizer rate application, with or without full application of MAD and conventional or other furrow irrigation methods, caused the total yield to decrease. CFIM and AFIM with 100 % MAD and 100NFAR treatments yielded the highest profits, while the FFIM approach under 50%MAD and 0%NFAR conditions negatively impacted profitability. Therefore, by adopting the preferable practices, farmers can achieve higher productivity and sustainability in tomato cultivation. This approach addresses the challenges posed by water scarcity and nutrient limitations.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024175822Integrated effectsIrrigation waterNitrogen fertilizerTomato yieldFurrow irrigationSouthern Ethiopia
spellingShingle Edmealem Temesgen Ebstu
Mekuanent Muluneh
Evaluate the integrative effects of irrigation water level, furrow irrigation methods, and nitrogen fertilizer rate on tomato yield in semi-arid southern Ethiopia
Heliyon
Integrated effects
Irrigation water
Nitrogen fertilizer
Tomato yield
Furrow irrigation
Southern Ethiopia
title Evaluate the integrative effects of irrigation water level, furrow irrigation methods, and nitrogen fertilizer rate on tomato yield in semi-arid southern Ethiopia
title_full Evaluate the integrative effects of irrigation water level, furrow irrigation methods, and nitrogen fertilizer rate on tomato yield in semi-arid southern Ethiopia
title_fullStr Evaluate the integrative effects of irrigation water level, furrow irrigation methods, and nitrogen fertilizer rate on tomato yield in semi-arid southern Ethiopia
title_full_unstemmed Evaluate the integrative effects of irrigation water level, furrow irrigation methods, and nitrogen fertilizer rate on tomato yield in semi-arid southern Ethiopia
title_short Evaluate the integrative effects of irrigation water level, furrow irrigation methods, and nitrogen fertilizer rate on tomato yield in semi-arid southern Ethiopia
title_sort evaluate the integrative effects of irrigation water level furrow irrigation methods and nitrogen fertilizer rate on tomato yield in semi arid southern ethiopia
topic Integrated effects
Irrigation water
Nitrogen fertilizer
Tomato yield
Furrow irrigation
Southern Ethiopia
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024175822
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AT mekuanentmuluneh evaluatetheintegrativeeffectsofirrigationwaterlevelfurrowirrigationmethodsandnitrogenfertilizerrateontomatoyieldinsemiaridsouthernethiopia