The Effects of Irrigation Methods on Yield and Quality of Alfalfa

Abstract

【Objective】 Alfalfa is a prevalent crop in northwestern China and its cultivation heavily depends on irrigation. This paper is to delve into the influence of irrigation methods on yield and quality of alfalfa, with the ultimate goal to improve its water use efficiency. 【Method】 The experiment was conducted from April to September in 2021 in an irrigated alfalfa field in Karamay, Xinjiang. It compared three irrigation methods: shallow drip irrigation (W1), point sprinkler irrigation (W2), and rolling sprinkler irrigation (W3). In each treatment, we measured the growth traits, water consumption, water-saving index, and yield and quality of the alfalfa. The optimal irrigation method was determined using the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method based on combination weighting. 【Result】 As the times of cutting increased, the height, stem diameter and yield of the alfalfa decreased, while its crude protein content increased. As time elapsed following the third and fourth cutting, the water consumption decreased first followed by an increase. The total water consumption during the two stages varied with irrigation method, and their significance was ranked in the order of W1W2>W3. Both shallow drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation effectively improved plant quality. Fuzzy comprehensive evaluation indicated that, overall, the shallow drip irrigation was optimal for growth, water consumption, yield and quality of the crop. 【Conclusion】 The shallow buried drip irrigation not only saved water but also improved yield and quality of the alfalfa. It is hence most suitable for alfalfa cultivation in the arid and water-scarce regions in the northwest of China.

Keywords

• alfalfa
• irrigation method
• fuzzy comprehensive evaluation
• yields
• quality