Abstract

Aim: The main objective of this study was to compare the performance of frequently recommended three micro-harvesting land surface forming techniques (broad base basin- furrows, open-ended furrows, tied furrows), and three harvested rainwater conservation practices (fully irrigated, rain fed, and supplemental irrigation).

Materials and Methods: A farm pond and a small pump were used to harvest rainwater during the rainy season, and stored water was conveyed to cropland as supplemental irrigation (SI). Data collected includes sesame crop yields (Kg/ha), plant height (m), number of capsules per plant, and water use efficiency.

Results: The result revealed that there were statistically significant differences (p=0.01) between water management practices, and plant height, number of capsules per plant, and seed yield, and the highest seed yield was obtained from fully-irrigated treatment). The response of Sesame number of capsules per plant to both water management practices and water harvesting techniques is highly significant, while the interaction between these treatments is non-significant, and broad based furrows fully irrigated plots recorded the highest number of capsules per plant. Full irrigation results in maximum crop height with water harvesting that do not pond water in localized area (Broad based Furrow in basins and conventional furrows).

Conclusion: It was concluded that under the case of low water supply both broad based furrow and tied furrows store water over the soil surface resulting in improved crop yield. The conventional furrow application technique for irrigated agriculture and brad based for rain fed agriculture.

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