Effects of deficit irrigation using gravity-drip system and nutrient sources on biomass yield and water use efficiency of Artemisia in Samaru, Nigeria
Artemisia plant produces artemisinin, a potent medication for malaria disease which is hazardous globally. In Nigeria, however, it is exclusively produced under rain-fed conditions, hardly produce under irrigation in the country. Additionally, it is not yet known whether the crop may be impacted by water stress due to the country's worrying water shortage, particularly in the northern region. As a result, this study assessed the crop response in terms of water use and production to the administration of fertilizers under drip irrigation. An on-field experiment was conducted at the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) farm in Samaru, from February to June 2022. The irrigation treatment levels were: 100, 80, and 60% of reference evapotranspiration (ETo) while fertilizer treatment had levels: poultry manure and inorganic fertilizer. These treatments were replicated three times and laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). For the gravity drip irrigation, two plastic tanks with a combined capacity of 3000 liters were erected on a stanchion at a height of 3.2 m above the ground and two additional tanks were positioned at the ground level to feed the overhead tanks. Mainline pipes and drip kit set were used for precise water conveyance while access tube installed at different depths was use for moisture monitoring. The highest biomass yield obtained was 8.85 t/ha at 100% irrigation level using inorganic fertilizer and irrigation water use efficiency was 9.10 kg/m3 at 60% irrigation level using inorganic fertilizer. While the lowest obtained was 3.25 t/ha at 60% irrigation level and 4.55 kg/m3 at 100% irrigation level using poultry manure, respectively. The water application rates (100, 80, and 60% ETo) have a big impact on Artemisia annua's biomass yield. Artemisia annua's biomass output obtained was higher under 100% irrigation level compared to 60% irrigation level by 4.91 t/ha to 1.33 t/ha respectively. Therefore, biomass yield dropped as deficit irrigation increases, indicating that the plant is susceptible to water stress and that; irrigation deficit affects its yield, particularly when the stress is severe.
Keywords: Artemisia; Deficit Irrigation; Gravity-drip, Water Use Efficiency
*Correspondence: habfta@yahoo.com, 08038758660
Download Paper