Ikechukwu-Edeh, C. E.
Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State. Nigeria. P.M.B 7267, Nigeria
Ndukwu, M. C.
Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State. Nigeria. P.M.B 7267, Nigeria
Ehiomogue, P.
Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State. Nigeria. P.M.B 7267, Nigeria
Okosa, I.
Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State. Nigeria. P.M.B 7267, Nigeria
Udensi, N. K.
Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State. Nigeria. P.M.B 7267, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
A portable raised soil bed integrated with a self-regulated
irrigation system was designed, developed and evaluated. The system is most
suited to urban settings where arable soils are scarce to locate and most times
too expensive to purchase. The system was evaluated with Palm fruit fibre. Palm
fruit fibre filled to thickness of 0.15m when saturated was observed to release
moisture throughout the entire 0.20cm thickness of the overlaying soil at an
application efficiency of 65%, fibre efficiency of 18% and overall efficiency
of 12%. It was established from the soil moisture data recorded at different
depths in the soil profile that the system provided subsurface irrigation
sufficient for vegetable growth and is also efficiently self-regulated as no
case of moisture overflow or flooding at the surface of the soil profile was
recorded.
Keywords: None
https://doi.org/10.33922/j.ujet_v5i1_4
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Published
Saturday, September 14, 2019
Issue
Vol. 5 No. 1, JUNE 2019
Article Section
GENERAL
The contents of the articles are the sole opinion of the author(s) and not of UJET.
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