Estimation of Water Productivity of Cucumber and Potato Crops for Water Management in Palestine

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this study was to survey the agronomic practices that practiced by the farmers for potato and cucumber crops, and to estimate the water productivity of these crops. Study Design: A questionnaire was designed to collect data about the agronomic practices that practiced by the farmers during the growing period of cucumber cultivated in open field and potato crops. Place and Duration of Study: A field survey was carried out at Al-Bqaia’h and Kashda areas located at Tubas governorate of the West Bank, Palestine between December 2021 and July 2022. Methodology: The questionnaire includes several parts: soil characteristics, crop cultivation, crop development, crop fertilization, yield production, type of irrigation systems used, irrigation water management, and amount of applied irrigation water. Crop evapotranspiration (ETc) was estimated using AQWACROP program. Soil samples were collected from the selected field to evaluate the soil fertility status. Results: It is indicated that the crop evapotranspiration of potato (378 mm), higher than that of cucumber crop (343 mm). Huge amount of water (754 and 689 mm) were applied by the farmer during the growing period of potato and cucumber, respectively compared to calculated actual water requirement. The water productivity of cucumber crop varies among different farmers and varies from (3.56 – 6.82 kg/m3) in Al-Bqaia’h area, and (3.7 – 7.5 kg/m3) in Kashda area. The water productivity of potato crop varies from (4.29 – 8.10 kg/m3) in Al-Bqaia’h area, and (5.1 – 8.1 kg/m3) in Kashda area. It is found that the dripper discharge of 2 L/hr enhanced the water productivity compared to the dripper discharge of 4 and 8 L/hr. Conclusion: The field survey found that the water productivity of cucumber and potato crops was mainly affected by the performance of individual farmers, the amount of water applied, method of water application and the crop verity.