Incorporation of a ridge–furrow–ridge rainwater harvesting system with mulches in high-value plant production

✍ Scribed by Borut Gosar; Dea Baričevič

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2010
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 974 KB
• Volume: 60
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1531-0353
• DOI: 10.1002/ird.587

✦ Synopsis

ABSTRACT

A new ridge–furrow–ridge rainwater harvesting (RFRRH) system with mulches has been promoted in agricultural production to improve economic potential for high‐value plant production. In this system, plastic mulch covered two ridges and the furrow between them, which serves as the rainwater‐harvesting zone. To evaluate this system, a two‐year field study was conducted to determine the effect of the RFRRH system with impermeable and permeable polyethylene (PE) mulch on soil water content, crop yield and production cost effectiveness in purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea Moench.) production. The results of the study in 2007 and 2008 showed that the RFRRH system with impermeable and permeable PE mulch increases soil water content in dry periods at the beginning of plant growth, which can be one of the main reasons for higher yields in the mulch‐covered RFRRH system in comparison to the control (uncovered ridges). Moreover, higher yield and a reduction of labour improved production cost effectiveness in the RFRRH system with mulches in comparison to the control. The results confirm that the RFRRH system with mulches, in view of its rainwater‐collecting efficiency, simplicity and economic potential, can be applied in agricultural production. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.