Evaluation Drip Irrigation Method for Hot Peppers Production Using Roof-top Rain Water in Home Garden Irrigation at Water Scarce Area of Fadis, Estern Oromia Region

Abstract

Existing fresh water resources are subjected to an ever-increasing pressure due to extensive agricultural water demand for irrigated lands. A long-term perspective in shortage of fresh water resources, especially in arid and semi-arid area, highlights an urgent solution for innovative irrigation technologies and agricultural water management strategies. The experiment was conducted at Fadis agricultural research center farm in Boko station. The aim of the study was to evaluate performance of hot pepper varieties under drip irrigation system using water harvested from roof top on growth and yield parameters. The experiment was arranged in RCBD, replicated three times. Three hot pepper varieties namely: mareko fana, malka awaze and local check were used as experimental crop. The result on yield and plant height showed that there was significance difference (P<0.05) between mareko fana and malka awaze with local check hot pepper varieties when irrigated with equal water application. In case of hot pepper number of main branch, there was significant difference (p<0.05) between each hot pepper varieties under drip irrigation system. Number of fruit per plant, had significance difference between local check and malka awaze. The yield obtained for both mareko fana and melka awaze hot pepper varieties were satisfactory, therefore both varieties were recommended for further use under drip irrigation system in the study area and other similar agro ecologies.

Keywords: Crop water requirement; drip irrigation; hot pepper performance.

DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/59-02

Publication date:September 30^th 2019