Performance evaluation of drip, surface and pitcher irrigation systems: A case study of prevalent urban landscape plant species

Urban landscape water use is undoubtedly one of the main water consumptions in arid and semi-arid regions. In this study, performance of surface, drip and pitcher irrigation systems on Ligustrum vulgare, Berberis thunbergii, Pyracantha and Rosa hybrid, which are locally known as prevalent urban landscape plant species, is evaluated in a semi-arid region. Twelve treatments were arranged in completely randomized design with three replications. Growth parameters such as the height of plants, number of leaves and qualitative plant appearance score (QPAS) were determined biweekly. Volume of water applied was also recorded weekly. Root, stem, leaf and total water content of plants were calculated by measuring their total fresh and dry weights. Leaf area was determined at the end of the experiment. Results indicated that plants were appropriately grown under pitcher irrigation. Performance of pitcher irrigation resulted in growth of more leaves, more increase in height of plants and superior QPASs within the experiment. Even if there were some preferences in plants under drip and surface irrigations, the difference was negligible in almost all items. It was also found out that pitcher irrigation could save up to 60% and 30% of water compared to surface and drip irrigations, and it facilitates water absorption due to its continuous and auto-regulative seepage.