Identification of the potential use of sago midrib ( Metroxylon sp.) as drip irrigation emitters for chili plants

Abstract

Drip irrigation is an irrigation system that can save water by releasing a regulated amount of water and nutrients to the roots of plants using emitters. The use of emitters is one of the additional costs in the use of drip irrigation systems. Estimating the potential of fronds as emitters are done by measuring saturated hydraulic conductivity. The method used is falling head to determine the ability of emitter material made from sago fronds to pass water that can be used to meet the water needs of chili plants. The results showed that the average hydraulic conductivity value at the end sample was higher than the middle and base samples. The hydraulic conductivity values of the tip, middle and base are 0.0077 (m/s), 0.0022 (m/s), and 0.0020 (m/s), respectively. So that the tip-sample can be used as a drip irrigation emitter. The discharge produced by the emitters of tip samples 1 and 2 amounted to 1.252 and 1.424 l/day. Based on this discharge, the number of droppers for each phase of chili plant growth using sago frond emitters, namely at the base and center, requires two emitters in months 3 and 4. Meanwhile, the end frond emitter only requires two emitters in month three, and in other growth phases only requires one emitter.