Evaluation of Three Irrigation Management Tools for Improving Crop and Water Productivity of Wheat (Triticum aestivum) in Koga Irrigation Scheme

The development of irrigation and agricultural water management technology holds significant potential to improve water productivity. Improper on-farm irrigation management practices lead to poor water distribution, non-uniform crop growth, excessive leaching in some areas leading to waterlogging, and insufficient leaching in others leading to salinity buildup. The research was conducted to evaluate water saving, yield, and water productivity of wheat by using the Wetting Front Detector (WFD) and Chameleon sensor at Chihona, Adibera, and Teleta blocks during the 2018/2019 irrigation season. The study shows that the Wetting Front Detector and Chameleon sensor irrigation water management system can save 6% and 25% water, respectively. The average water productivity (WP) of the scheme was 0.64 kg/m3, 0.85 kg/m3, and 0.87 kg/m3 for the Control group (i.e., traditional irrigation scheduling, based on experience), WFD, and soil moisture sensor (Chameleon) respectively. Likewise, the average yield of the scheme was 2788 kg/ha, 3220 kg/ha, and 3490 kg/ha for the Control group, WFD, and Chameleon, respectively. If all fields in the scheme were guided by WFD, additional land to be irrigated could be 2080 ha. Similarly, if all fields in the scheme were guided by the Chameleon sensor, 691 ha of additional land can be irrigated.