Response of Onion (Allium Cepa L,) to Different Irrigation Levels Under Conventional Furrow Irrigation With and Without Mulch at Melkassa , Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia

Water is a scarce resource in Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia and major limiting factor for crop production. Onion one the economically important vegetable crops grown under irrigation central rift valley. The field experiment was conducted at Melkasa agricultural research center during dry season to identify conventional furrow application level with without mulch that maximizes productivity onion per unit water consumed enhanced carried out using RCB design having six treatments three replications. FAO’s recommended allowable Manageable depletion 100%. In this study 75%, 100% 125% were tested. analysis variance result indicated highly significant (P ≤ 0.05) differences yield, yield components WUE’s. highest 320.7 ton/ha obtained from 75%MAD which not significantly different 100%MAD level. terms use efficiency, gave IWUE all other treatment combinations. Yield efficiency based comparison had shown there difference between CWUE, treatment. Therefore, it can be concluded increased saving associated through Conventional mulch, solve problem shortage improve WUE reduction yield.75%MAD applied system appears promising alternative conservation labor negligible trade-off yield. Keywords: Furrow irrigation, MAD, Onion, DOI: 10.7176/ALST/89-03 Publication date: August 31 st 2021