Horticulture in Spate Irrigation

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Horticulture in Spate Irrigation
5.4
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Horticulture in Spate Irrigation

• Horticultural production is possible in spate
  irrigation, provided
• Use the cool season
• Soils are sandy-loamy preferable with good
  organic content
• Care is taken in conserving soil moisture
• Care is taken to prevent damage from tresspassing
  livestock, birds and pests
• Care is taken to avoid damage from late floods
• Note
• Additional use of groundwater makes it easy

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Conserving soil moisture
Example from Eritrea conserving soil
moisture After being flooded few times in
August-September This field was ploughed by
tractor And mulched twice
In February (this picture) soil moisture was
still high
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Examples of horticultural crops
Tomatoes
Planted from seedbed Planted out on humid day
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Examples of horticultural crops
Okra, lady-fingers
Direct seeded
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Examples of horticultural crops
Beans
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Examples of horticultural crops
Pumpkins
Added advantage Non perishable
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Examples of horticultural crops
Cucumber and mellons
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Examples of horticultural crops
Kerkede (hibiscus)
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Examples of horticultural crops
Off-season onion in Sindh (Pakistan)
Also well-irrigated
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With thanks to Mohammed Ali Hamirai. Progressive
farmer in Sheeb, Eritrea.