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Sowing and irrigation strategies for improving rainfed tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) production in the water scarce Tigray region, Ethiopia

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  • Tsegay, Alemtsehay
  • Vanuytrecht, Eline
  • Abrha, Berhanu
  • Deckers, Jozef
  • Gebrehiwot, Kindeya
  • Raes, Dirk

Abstract

Field experiments conducted under rainfed agriculture for three consecutive years (2008–2010) revealed that water stress at the late season is the most limiting factor for the productivity of tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) in Tigray, Ethiopia. Early sowing and one irrigation application late in the growing season, were evaluated with the AquaCrop model as management strategies to improve productivity. Simulations were run for three dominant soil types, under different soil fertility levels, and for four different locations in the region each with 19 years of historical climatic data. Advancing the sowing date, two to three weeks earlier than the commonly practiced by the farmers, resulted in stable yields and reduced the risks on yield failure by 72 to 100%. Moderate to high yields could only be achieved when the recommended fertilizer dose was applied. The yields became moderate but remained stable, by applying only 50% of the recommended dose, which is an affordable soil fertility management practice for the farmers. Considering the limited capacity of most farmers for irrigation, a very limited irrigation with only rainwater harvested during the growing cycle, was assessed as a strategy to further boost the productivity of tef in the region. Depending on the soil fertility level, one irrigation application of only 45mm around flowering, increased the yield by 50–168% for late sowing and 16–75% for early sowing. In conclusions, this study revealed that optimal timing for sowing and one-time irrigation applied only during water sensitive growth stage are good strategies to improve the productivity of rainfed crops in a drought-prone areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Tsegay, Alemtsehay & Vanuytrecht, Eline & Abrha, Berhanu & Deckers, Jozef & Gebrehiwot, Kindeya & Raes, Dirk, 2015. "Sowing and irrigation strategies for improving rainfed tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) production in the water scarce Tigray region, Ethiopia," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 81-91.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agiwat:v:150:y:2015:i:c:p:81-91
    DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2014.11.014
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Kifle, Mulubrehan & Gebremicael, T.G. & Girmay, Abbadi & Gebremedihin, Teferi, 2017. "Effect of surge flow and alternate irrigation on the irrigation efficiency and water productivity of onion in the semi-arid areas of North Ethiopia," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 69-76.
    3. Zhou, Shiwei & Ye, Fan & Xia, Dufei & Liu, Zijin & Wu, Yangzhong & Chen, Fu, 2023. "Climate change impacts assessment and developing adaptation strategies for rainfed foxtail millet in northern Shanxi, China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 290(C).
    4. Jubaidur Rahman & Monira Yasmin & Fouzia Sultana Shikha & Majharul Islam & Mukaddasul Islam Riad, 2019. "Intercropping Of Potato With Brinjal," Malaysian Journal of Sustainable Agriculture (MJSA), Zibeline International Publishing, vol. 3(2), pages 16-19, February.
    5. Haileselassie, Hailay & Araya, A. & Habtu, Solomon & Meles, Kiros Gebretsadkan & Gebru, Girmay & Kisekka, Isaya & Girma, Atkilt & Hadgu, Kiros Meles & Foster, A.J., 2016. "Exploring optimal farm resources management strategy for Quncho-teff (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) using AquaCrop model," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 148-158.
    6. Gebremeskel, Gebremedhin & Gebremicael, T.G. & Kifle, Mulubrehan & Meresa, Esayas & Gebremedhin, Teferi & Girmay, Abbadi, 2018. "Salinization pattern and its spatial distribution in the irrigated agriculture of Northern Ethiopia: An integrated approach of quantitative and spatial analysis," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 147-157.

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