Effects of irrigation methods of subsurface, clay pot and drop on Mulberry growth in dry land region (Case study: Sistan area)

Mulberry is one of the plants that are compatible with dry areas. A little research has been done on the irrigation of mulberry seedlings using different methods in arid and special areas of Sistan. In the past, there were suitable climatic conditions for the establishment of mulberry trees in Sistan. If mulberry orchards are revived in the area, in addition to fruit production and the prosperity of the breeding industry, it will also play an effective role in controlling erosion and improving the environment. Due to the harmful effects of water shortage and lack of proper efficient methods used in the agricultural sector of the country, it is necessary to study and use new methods. This research examines the establishment of fruitful mulberry seedlings with three methods of subsurface irrigation, pottery, and drip irrigation in the Helmand watershed. By establishing vegetation while saving limited water consumption in the region, along with its economic aspects for the stakeholders, should also be effective as windbreaks and improvement of the environment for the development of the region.

This research was carried out to evaluate the Mulberry growth using three methods including subsurface irrigation, clay pot, and drop irrigation in dryland regions. Therefore, after preparing hold digs, three soil samples has collected from depth 50 cm of each treatment, and soil characteristics were analyzed. Six-month-old mulberry seedlings were planted in the pits. This research was randomly tested the clay pot irrigation, drop and surface irrigation on mulberry with three treatments and four iterations. Tree high, branch number, diameter, and canopy have been measured. Also, soil moisture was measured at a depth of 60 cm before irrigation. The data were analyzed using SPSS software.

According to the climatic conditions of the region, a total of 700 L of water was given to each seedling. The average moisture content of subsurface irrigation treatment was higher than other treatments. Moisture content in subsurface irrigation, pottery, and surface drops were 18, 14.25, and 13.4%, respectively. The moisture content of subsurface irrigation treatment was 20.8% and 25.5% higher than the moisture content of clay irrigation treatment and drip type, respectively. The mean values have been compared based on the Duncan test and showed the amount of moisture in subsurface irrigation classified in one group and in clay type and surface drops in another group. Statistical analysis showed that there was a significant difference between the moisture content of the three treatments (α< 0.01). Also, significant differences were observed between the mean of plants height of the subsurface (78.5 cm), clay pot (45.5 cm), and drop (59.7 cm) irrigation methods. But, there was no significant difference between canopy, diameter, and branch number. The plant water needs are better provided in the surface irrigation method, and more water is available compared with clay pot and drop irrigation.

The results of this experiment showed that the subsurface irrigation treatment had a better condition in all characteristics than the pottery and drip irrigation methods. Because it provides more moisture to the plant. This situation is due to the lack of high evaporation in subsurface irrigation, water enters the root zone directly through gravity. Therefore, it is concluded that the subsurface irrigation method is more suitable for plant growth than pottery and drip irrigation which reduces the water loss from the soil surface and better moisture distribution.