الملخص الإنجليزي
Irrigation in Oman is an ancient practice whereas groundwater is the main SON source for irrigation. Aflaj and wells have been used over the years to irrigate plantations. Expansions in irrigated areas and population growth have led to groundwater depletion, lowering of water tables and seawater intrusion in coastal areas. Modern irrigation systems were introduced as part of an integrated effort to conserve water resources. The effects of drip irrigation on potato yields were investigated in this study. One or two plants per emitter have been irrigated through surface and subsurface water applications of two amounts of water (4 - 8 mm / day). Throughout the experiments, soil salinity change with time was monitored directly on the site at two depths (1 - 10 cm) in all treatments using a special Sigma Probe instrument. Soil moisture contents were measured by using tensiometers throughout the growing season Good yields were harvested from all the treatments with the presence of significant differences in the total weight, tuber numbers and average weight due to planting numbers per emitter, amount of water application rates and surface or subsurface irrigation methods. Salinity and moisture content showed some difference
between treatments. Contour lines were used to illustrate the change of salinity through the soil profile due to the difference in irrigation methods. It was concluded that subsurface drip irrigation system was the best method to produce higher potato yields and higher water use efficiency. More yields were obtained as more potato tuber numbers planted and more water application rates were applied. Low amount of salts were formed on the soil surface with surface drip irrigation.
