Author(s)

JOSÉ LUIS RUIZ-LEÓN, ROBINSON FABRICIO PEÑA MURILLO, JOSELYNE SOLÓRZANO, LADY BRAVO-MONTERO, PAÚL CARRIÓN-MERO

Abstract

Agricultural production in Andean areas faces significant challenges due to the availability and management of water resources, which are essential for crop sustainability and natural resource conservation. The quantum pea is widely cultivated in the Ecuadorian highlands. However, its cultivation yields are low, primarily due to inadequate irrigation system management. The objective of this study is to measure yield performance and water-use patterns of pea (Pisum sativum L.) under three irrigation systems. The case study comprised the Experimental Irrigation Centre located in Riobamba province in the Ecuadorian highlands. The methodology includes five phases. First, the installation of irrigation systems (gravity-fed, drip and sprinkler). Second, the calculation of crop evapotranspiration (ET_c), reference crop evapotranspiration (ET_o), and the crop coefficient (K_c). Third, the evaluation of irrigation methods using a completely randomised design with three treatments and replicates. Then, we evaluate crop biometrics using plant height and stomatal conductance. Finally, the post-harvest analysis (yield, dry matter and water footprint) and the strengths-weaknesses-opportunities-threats matrix for strategy establishment in the context of sustainable water management. Drip irrigation was demonstrated to be the most efficient irrigation system, reducing investment costs by up to 15% compared to traditional methods for growing peas, with a 49% increase in productivity per unit (18,080 kg ha⁻¹). Additionally, this system had the lowest water consumption, with a blue footprint of 119.8 L kg⁻¹, a green footprint of 87.22 L kg⁻¹, and a total water footprint of 207.02 L kg⁻¹. This system showed greater plant height (113.5 cm) and stomatal conductance (460.3 mmol m⁻² s⁻) than the other methods, at the same time, a lower irrigation layer or water depth of 374.29 mm. The adjusted K_c fluctuated between 0.3 and 1.2 across the crop’s phenological stages, optimising water use and providing a pilot guide for decision-makers, with an emphasis on more sustainable irrigation practices.

Keywords

irrigation, pea, evapotranspiration, crop coefficient, sustainability, natural resource conservation