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Effects of Frequency of Irrigation on Dry-Season Furrow-Irrigated Maize and Peanut Production in the Rice-Growing Lowlands of the Lower Mekong Basin

Author

Listed:
  • Carlos Ballester

    (Centre for Regional and Rural Futures (CeRRF), Deakin University, Research Station Road, Griffith, NSW 2680, Australia)

  • Camilla Vote

    (Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, Charles Sturt University, Pugsley Ave, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia)

  • John Hornbuckle

    (Centre for Regional and Rural Futures (CeRRF), Deakin University, Research Station Road, Griffith, NSW 2680, Australia)

  • Thavone Inthavong

    (Research Centre for Climate Change Resilience in Agriculture, National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute, Nongviengkham Village, Xaythany District, Vientiane 0106, Laos)

  • Vanndy Lim

    (Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), National Road No 3, Sangkat Prateah Lang, Khan Dangkoar, Phnom Penh 12000, Cambodia)

  • Chantha Oeurng

    (Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC), Russian Conf. Blvd., Phnom Penh 12000, Cambodia)

  • Wendy Quayle

    (Centre for Regional and Rural Futures (CeRRF), Deakin University, Research Station Road, Griffith, NSW 2680, Australia)

  • Vang Seng

    (Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), National Road No 3, Sangkat Prateah Lang, Khan Dangkoar, Phnom Penh 12000, Cambodia)

  • Pheng Sengxua

    (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Agricultural Land Use Planning Centre, Department of Agricultural Land Management, Vientiane 0101, Laos)

  • Vorachith Sihathep

    (Phone Ngam Rice Research and Seed Multiplication Centre, Pakse 1600, Laos)

  • Veasna Touch

    (Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), National Road No 3, Sangkat Prateah Lang, Khan Dangkoar, Phnom Penh 12000, Cambodia)

  • Philip Eberbach

    (Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, Charles Sturt University, Pugsley Ave, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia)

Abstract

Incorporation of dry-season crops in the lowland production systems of the Lower Mekong Basin (LMB) may provide local smallholder farmers the opportunity to increase household cash income through diversification. However, water availability and lowland rice-growing soil characteristics often limit the yield potential of dry-season crops in rotation with wet-season rice. This work studied the effects of three frequencies of irrigation on the crop performance of dry-season furrow-irrigated maize ( Zea mays Linnaeus) and peanut ( Arachis hypogaea Linnaeus) grown on lowland rice-growing soils in terms of biomass, yield and water productivity (WP). In addition, the response of maize to two fertiliser rates was evaluated. The study was carried out in sites with typical lowland rice-growing soils located in Cambodia and Laos. Soil matric potential (Ψ m ) was monitored during the season at the centre of the beds and percentage of canopy cover, aboveground biomass (AGB), yield and WP were determined. The results showed that within the first weeks of furrow irrigation (~two weeks after emergence), Ψ m dropped considerably (<−200 kPa) after all treatments at both sites, suggesting that water movement from the furrows to the centre of the beds was limited. Shorter frequency of irrigation led to significantly ( p < 0.05) higher AGB and yield in maize but not in peanut. Fertiliser rates did not have a significant effect on maize. WP ranged from 0.84 kg m −3 to 1.42 kg m −3 for maize and from 0.27 kg m −3 to 0.49 kg m −3 for peanut with no significant differences among treatments. This work provides evidence of a lateral water movement limitation that is not well documented for the establishment of furrow-irrigated dry-season crop production in the lowlands of the LMB. Further research on methodologies that could help to overcome this limitation in these soils, such as the application of soil amendments or implementation of alternative irrigation systems, would be of great value.

Suggested Citation

  • Carlos Ballester & Camilla Vote & John Hornbuckle & Thavone Inthavong & Vanndy Lim & Chantha Oeurng & Wendy Quayle & Vang Seng & Pheng Sengxua & Vorachith Sihathep & Veasna Touch & Philip Eberbach, 2019. "Effects of Frequency of Irrigation on Dry-Season Furrow-Irrigated Maize and Peanut Production in the Rice-Growing Lowlands of the Lower Mekong Basin," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-19, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:9:y:2019:i:6:p:128-:d:240864
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Tsubo, M. & Fukai, S. & Tuong, T.P. & Ouk, M., 2007. "A water balance model for rainfed lowland rice fields emphasising lateral water movement within a toposequence," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 204(3), pages 503-515.
    2. Newby, J.C. & Manivong, Vongpaphane & Cramb, R.A., 2013. "Intensification of lowland rice-based farming systems in Laos in the context of diversified rural livelihoods," 2013 Conference (57th), February 5-8, 2013, Sydney, Australia 152172, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society.
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