RESPONSE OF COMMON BEAN (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) TO DEFICIT IRRIGATION UNDER ALTERNATIVE, FIXED AND CONVENTIONAL FURROW IRRIGATION METHODS AT MALKASA, CENTRAL RIFT VALLEY OF ETHIOPIA.

Abstract

Irrigation water availablity is diminishing in many areas of Ethiopia region,which requires many irrigators to consider deficit irrigation strategy. Hence, this study was initiated to investigate the effect of furrow irrigation methods and identify optimal deficit irrigation level on yield and water use efficiency of common bean. The experiment was conducted on loam soil at al site of Malkasa agricultural research center centeral rift valley of Ethiopia with three furrow irrigation methods, viz., alternate, fixed and conventional and three deficit irrigation levels of 100,85, 70 and 55% arranged in factorial randomized complete block design with three replications. Irrigation water was applied at allowable soil moisture depletion considered for common bean. The analysis of variance indicated that water use efficiency and grain yield of common bean was significantly (P<0.05) affected by irrigation levels and furrow irrigation methods. The highest grain yields, plant height and above ground biomass were obtained from 100%ETc under conventional furrow irrigation. The highest WUE 1.4 kg/m3 and lowest 0.82 kg/m3 were obtained from AFI 70%ETc and CFI 100%ETc respectively. Considering crop yield and water use efficiency, deficit irrigation application of 70%ETc under alternate irrigation could be considered as optimal irrigation management in a water scarce area of central rift vallely of Ethiopia