Evaluation of the performance of the bucket drip irrigation (family drip system) fed by treadle pump for tomato production

Benefits of drip irrigation for Malawian farmers

An evaluation of the performance of the Drip Irrigation (Family Drip System) fed by Treadle Pump was conducted at Kasinthula Research Station, Malawi, in 2005/2006. The purpose was to develop baseline information on the operation of drip irrigation, establish drip irrigation system testing and demonstrating on the design, installation and management of drip kits, determine water use efficiency and yield response of tomatoes to drip irrigation within and between seasons.

The study shows that:

there is time and labour or energy saving using drip incorporated by treadle pump
tomato yields under drip irrigation are higher than other irrigation methods due to the fact that the nature of drip irrigation, which applies irrigation water slowly and frequently, soil water content in a portion of the plant root zone remains fairly constant compared to furrow irrigation
water use efficiency showed that the relationship between yields and irrigation water depends on the quantity of water applied, the irrigation method used as well as the tomato variety
there is high irrigation uniformity and distribution uniformity within the design.

Drip irrigation is a recommendable irrigation system for Malawian farmers for they can gain advantages without suffering from the disadvantages.

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Evaluation of the performance of the bucket drip irrigation (family drip system) fed by treadle pump for tomato production