Performance evaluation of different wick materials in wick irrigation

Abstract

Irrigation plays an important role in various development project of our country. The existing method of surface irrigation method is less efficient and we are confronted with many problems regarding soil and water. Expansion of irrigation system is also essential for increasing food production. Now the adoption of micro irrigation systems has started in areas having water scarcity, poor quality water and undulating terrain. Micro irrigation, which includes mainly drip irrigation and micro sprinklers, is an effective tool for conserving water resource. The micro irrigation has so many potential benefits,but it has certain limitations such as high initial cost, problems related to clogging, salt accumulation etc. With the objective of solving these problems, a user-friendly irrigation method „wick irrigation‟ was developed for vegetable cultivation in homesteads especially terrace cultivation by Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM) during the past many years. This method is cheap and at the same time water efficient. The scientific principle behind this irrigation method is capillary action. This field study is conducted to evaluate the performance evaluation of different wick materials in wick irrigation system. The performance is compared on the basis of water uptake rate, moisture content, biometric observation such as plan height, stem girth, number of branches, root length, lateral root distribution, root wet weight, root dry weight and the yield parameters like total yield, number of fruits, and diameter of fruit.From the study, it could be concluded that the wick made up of glass wool (T3) showed better performance in biometric and yield parameters, water uptake rate and soil moisture on the soil. It also observed that the wick made up of cotton (T1) was on par with the results from glass wool (T3). Considering the easy availability, ecofriendly nature of cotton and analysis of cost effectiveness, the cotton canbe used as an alternative material for glass wool.