Review of Deficit Irrigation and Nutrient Use Strategies for Optimal Crop Yields

  • John K. Langat Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, University of Eldoret
  • Emmanuel C. Kipkorir School of Engineering, University of Eldoret
##article.subject##: : Deficit Irrigation, Evapotranspiration, Field Capacity, Matric Potential, Nutrient Use

##article.abstract##

Optimal soil moisture ionizes the nutrient fertilizer into a form extractable by plant roots and minimizes drainage. Deficit irrigated crops abstract moisture at critical levels below field capacity sufficient for production. Current review of the existing literature has shown that optimal yields and profits are attained by balancing available water and nutrient application. It was further shown that reduction of water applied is justified when it results in yield reduction but significant saving is achieved in reduction of operation costs. A case study of Eldume irrigation scheme showed that irrigation water requirement is never attained and deficit irrigation was the only option.

References

Allen, R.G., Pereira, L.S., Raes, D., & Smith, M., (1998). Crop evapotranspiration. Guidelines for computing crop water requirements. FAO irrigation and Drainage. Paper No. 56. FAO, Rome, Italy, p. 300.

Fereres, E., & Soriano, M.A., (2007). Deficit irrigation for reducing agricultural water use. Journal of Experimental Botany 58, 147–159.

Geerts, S., & Raes, D., (2009). Deficit irrigation as an on-farm strategy to maximize crop water productivity in dry areas. Agricultural Water Management 96, 1275–1284.

Girona, J., Mata, M., Goldhamer, D.A., Johnson, R.S., & DeJong, T.M., (1993). Patterns of soil and tree water status and leaf functioning during regulated deficit irrigation scheduling in peach. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science 118 (5), 580–586.

Kipkorir, E, C., (2002). ―Optimal Planning of Deficit Irrigation for multiple crop systems according to user specified strategy‖. Proefschrift voorgedragen tot het behalen van de grad van Doctor in de Toegepaste Biologische Wetenschappen door.

Ruiz-Sanchez, M.C., Domingo, R. & Castel, J.R. (2010). Review Deficit irrigation in fruit trees and vines in spain. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research 8(S2), S5-S20.
##submissions.published##
2021-07-26
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