Enhancing Onion (Allium Cepa) Yields: Integrating Precision Irrigation with Real-Time Soil Moisture and Mulching Strategies for Optimum Productivity

This study investigated the effects of various mulching conditions and irrigation techniques on the yield of Texas Grano onions (Allium cepa), a key crop for smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe. The primary objective was to identify optimal practices that enhance productivity, water productivity (WP), and water use efficiency (WUE) in onion cultivation. Four mulching treatments were evaluated: control (no mulch), maize residue, soybean trash, and grass. Concurrently, three irrigation methods were assessed: drip irrigation with Chameleon sensors for real-time moisture monitoring, drip irrigation without sensors, and traditional furrow irrigation. A 3 × 4 factorial split-plot design was employed within a randomized complete block design (RCBD) framework, with three replications. The main plots were allocated for irrigation techniques, while the sub-plots comprised the mulching treatments, including a control. A comprehensive cost-benefit analysis evaluated the economic viability of each treatment. Results indicated that combining drip irrigation with Chameleon sensors and maize residue mulch significantly increased both yields and economic returns. These findings highlight the advantages of adopting precision agricultural practices, particularly real-time moisture monitoring, to improve WP and WUE while enhancing resource utilization, thereby increasing system resilience. To fully harness these benefits, farmers should be capacitated and empowered through training on precision irrigation and mulching techniques via demonstration plots and farmer field schools (FFS). Establishing innovation hubs within irrigation schemes is recommended to foster resource sharing and technology adoption, improving productivity and market access for high-value crops. Policymakers must prioritize support for these initiatives to promote sustainable agricultural practices.