Modification and evaluation of sensor-based furrow irrigation system for sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) production
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Date
2023
Authors
Leslie E. Gacho and Jonathan R. Nicomedez
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Abstract
The need to constantly monitor over-irrigation was one of the many challenges farmers confronted in their daily farming activities. Frequently the farmer must travel a considerable distance to access their fields and irrigation pumps. This study further developed the feedback mechanism and program of the CLSU-AFIS. The performance of the sensor-based furrow irrigation systems was determined in this study. The specific objectives were to design, fabricate and evaluate the system through the growth and yield of the sunflower, determine the water productivity, and perform a cost analysis of the system.
The study considered four treatments which were sensor-based furrow irrigation system with mulch (T1), sensor-based furrow irrigation systems (T2) conventional furrow irrigation system with mulch (T3) and conventional furrow irrigation system (T4). The variety of sunflowers used was CLSF-1.
Results showed a significant difference between sensor-based and conventional furrow irrigation. growth and yield parameters of the sunflower in a sensor-based furrow irrigation system with mulch obtained the highest value with average plant height of 74.14 cm, leaf number of 22.82, sunflower head weight of 184.87 g, sunflower head diameter of 17.23 cm and yield of 80.14 kg. Mulch also reduced the irrigation frequency. Thus, it used less water but obtained the highest yield, increasing water productivity. the water productivity of using SBFTS without mulch is comparison with Conventional was found 54% higher while in SBFTS with mulch in comparison to Conventional with mulch was 72% higher. The water productivity of using SBFTS with mulch compared to SBFTS with mulch without mulch was found 39% higher while the Conventional with mulch compared to Conventional without mulch was also found 39% higher. The system was viable for farmers with 5.2 years of payback period and a return on investment of 19.3%.