Drip irrigation: Will it increase yield in traditional vegetable production system?

Abstract

In the rain-fed production system area, vegetables normally can be grown on wet season (>200 mm/month) between December - April. During dry season ( Drip irrigation systems have the highest potential water application efficiency of the irrigation system used in commercial vegetables production. Field studies have shown a significant decrease in irrigation requirements of tomatoes with the use of drip irrigation system and compared to sub-irrigation system. Marketable yield, fruit size, and fruit quality were comparable and some cases better with the use of drip irrigation than sub-irrigation (Pitts and Clark, 1991). Drip irrigation is a tool to reduce water use, increase fertilizer efficiency, and improve profit, while simultaneously reducing the potential risk to the environment due to enrichment of surface and ground water (Hochmuth, 1992). This research was conducted to evaluate the effect of Low Cost Drip Irrigation System on the yield of Amaranth (Amaranthus sp), Kangkong (Ipomoea reptans), Yard Long Bean (Vigna unguilata), Green Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), and Katuk (Sauropus androgenous) growth and yield during wet season.