Use of Controlled Spate Irrigation for the Improvement of Sorghum Growth and Productivity in North Darfur State
Use of Controlled Spate Irrigation for the Improvement of Sorghum Growth and Productivity in North Darfur State
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Date
2015-04-26
Authors
Ahmedai Abdalla, Salih
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
UOFK
Abstract
A split-plot field experiment was conducted in two consecutive seasons
(2006-2007) in Al-Fashir University Farm in North Darfur State to
investigate the impact of controlled spate irrigation on the growth and
yield of two sorghum varieties, namely Wad Ahmed and Tabat. The soil
was classified as fine loamy, mixed, isohyperthemic Typic Haplocambid.
The irrigation treatment consisted of adding Supplementary irrigation at
three available depletion (AWDL) namely 25, 50 and 75 %. The
irrigation treatments accommodated main plots and sorghum varieties
sub-plots. The main plots were arranged in randomize block design. The
soil was initially filled to field capacity and a daily water balance method
was used to monitor AWDL. When an AWDL reached a predetermined
value, water was applied to raise the soil moisture to field capacity.
In both seasons, Wad Ahmed variety gave significantly greater
germination percentage, plant height, leaf area index and number of heads
than Tabat variety.In general, the germination percentage was low due to
termites and low seed quality. Thus, transplanting was made to
compensate for this low germination. For both seasons, the mean plant
height and leaf area index ranged from 147.5 to 168.4 cm and from 3.9 to
6.7, respectively. The range of the mean number of heads was 77 to 143.
The impact of the growth components was reflected on fodder fresh and
dry matter yield. The mean fresh fodder yield of Wad Ahmed was
significantly 33% and 37% greater than that of Tabat in the two
successive seasons. The mean dry matter yield of Wad Ahmed was 11.2
ton/ha in the first season and 12.8 ton/ha in the second season.
The mean thousand grain weight (TGW) ranged from 26.0 to 29.5 g. The
effects of treatments were not significant in the first season. In the second
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season, Tabat gave significantly greater TGW than Wad Ahmed. In
general the grain yield was high ranging between 6.2 and 9.4 ton/ha. Wad
Ahmed gave significantly greater yield than Tabat in the first season.
However, in the second season the impact of variety was not significant.
In general, supplementary irrigation improved sorghum growth and yield.
Furthermore, in most cases, application of water at 25% AWDL gave
better growth and yield than at 50 or 75% AWDL. However, the impact
of the different AWDL was not significant because of the random
variation of occurrence and quantity of rainfall.
The experiment showed that controlled spate irrigation using harvested
water offers a great potential for improving crop production in North
Darfur.