Journal of Horticulture
Open Access
ISSN: 2376-0354
+44-77-2385-9429
ISSN: 2376-0354
+44-77-2385-9429
Brian C Levene
Tanzania
Research Article
Increasing Vegetable Production on Transformed Sand to Retain Twice the Soil Water Holding Capacity in Plant Root Zone
Author(s): Alvin JM Smucker, Brian C Levene and Mathieu NgouajioAlvin JM Smucker, Brian C Levene and Mathieu Ngouajio
A new soil water retaining technology, designed to increase vegetable production and improve water use efficiency (WUE), was field tested on sand soil. Green bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus) were planted on previously installed U-shaped troughs of impermeable membranes designed to double soil water content in plant root zones. These soil water retention technology (SWRT) membranes significantly increased volumetric water content (VWC) in plant root zones promoting both crop production and improved water use efficiency (WUE). Greater vegetable production was attained when SWRT membranes significantly increased the low 9% to 10% water holding capacity by control sands. Membrane improved VWC to 15% and 18% increased yields of green bell pepper by 20% and cucumber by 24%. These newly optimized root zone water contents also increased WUE 19% an.. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2376-0354.1000246