Combined effect of irrigation frequency and leaf harvesting intensity on soil water content and productivity of baobab (Adansonia digitata) seedlings in vegetable production
Paper Details
Combined effect of irrigation frequency and leaf harvesting intensity on soil water content and productivity of baobab (Adansonia digitata) seedlings in vegetable production
Abstract
Climatic variability increasingly disrupts rainfall patterns, constraining water availability and plant productivity in arid and semi-arid regions. For Adansonia digitata, sustainable domestication requires improved irrigation and harvest management. This study examines the effects of irrigation frequency and cutting intensity on soil moisture, growth, and biomass yield under market gardening conditions. The present research analyzes the effect of irrigation frequency and harvesting intensity on soil water content, growth and biomass yield of Adansonia digitata in market gardening. An experimental set-up in two-factor factorial blocks was set up, consisting of irrigation frequency (F0, F25, F50 representing respectively 0%, 25% and 50% of the irrigation deficit) and harvesting intensity (I25, I50 corresponding to 25% and 50% of the total number of leaves). Soil water content was significantly affected by irrigation frequency and its interaction with harvesting intensity, with reductions of 8-14% under F25 and F50 compared to F0, while harvesting alone had no effect. Plant height, stem diameter, and leaf number increased over time and were influenced by both irrigation and harvesting intensity, with higher values under F50 and H25. Fresh and dry leaf yields were primarily determined by harvesting intensity, with significant interactions with irrigation, showing up to 51% higher yields under optimal combinations. These results highlight the importance of integrated irrigation and harvesting intensity management to optimize the productivity of Adansonia digitata in vegetable farming. In short, integrated practices can improve soil water availability and maximize biomass yield, thus contributing to the resilience of agricultural systems to climatic hazards and improving the incomes of rural populations.
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