Design and Construction of Suitable Drip Irrigation System for Tomato Cultivation in Greenhouse Farming
1 *Alaya, A.Q., 2 Olaniyan, O.S., and 3 Adegbola, A.A.
1,2,3Department of Civil Engineering, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
DOI: 10.36108/laujoces/6202.61.0290
Abstract
Agriculture remains central to ensuring food security globally, yet it faces growing challenges from climate change, water scarcity, and rapid population growth. Consequently, enhancing productivity while conserving water is crucial. This study aims to design and construct a greenhouse drip irrigation system to improve water use efficiency. A 20 × 30 m dome-shaped greenhouse integrated with a drip irrigation system was designed and constructed. Levelling and spot height were conducted using the reduced level method. Soil geotechnical properties were analysed for permeability, bulk density, organic content, and loss on ignition. The system’s performance was evaluated under 100%, 80%, and 60% ETc irrigation regimes, and their effects on tomato growth parameters were assessed. The soil analysis recorded average values of bulk density, permeability, loss on ignition and natural moisture content were 1.85 g/cm³, 1.15 × 10⁻⁴ cm/s, 2.45% and 8.8% respectively. The levelling survey showed a gentle gradient with reduced levels between 101.000 m and 100.165 m. Hydraulic performance yielded total flow rates of 500, 410, and 305 L/h at 100%, 80%, and 60% ETc regimes, respectively. Corresponding efficiencies were 91%, 90.1%, and 88.6%. Final plant heights reached 171, 143.9, and 114.2 cm; leaf counts were 46, 39, and 28; while yields attained 262.8, 310.4, and 186.1 g/ plant for the respective regimes. The results conclude that the 80% ETc irrigation regime achieved the best balance between tomato yield and water use efficiency, demonstrating the sustainability of moderate deficit irrigation for greenhouse production. It is therefore recommended that greenhouse drip irrigation systems adopt 80% ETc as the optimal irrigation schedule to maximize productivity while conserving water resources.
Keywords: Drip irrigation, greenhouse production, water use efficiency, deficit irrigation, evapotranspiration (ETc), food security, water scarcity