Efficiency of Pressurized Irrigation Systems in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Production During the Dry Season at Katibougou, Mali

In Sahelian regions, the increasing scarcity of water resources represents a major constraint to the sustainable development of irrigated agriculture. Improving water use efficiency has become a priority in order to ensure food security while preserving available water resources. The present study aims to assess the hydraulic and agronomic performance of three pressurized irrigation systems (Californian, sprinkler, and drip irrigation) applied to tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivation under the agroecological conditions of Katibougou, Mali.
The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized block design according to Fisher, with several replications. The evaluated parameters included crop water requirements, vegetative growth characteristics, yield components, and water productivity. The results show that the drip irrigation system exhibited the best performance, with water consumption limited to 224.26 mm compared to 557.91 mm and 608.26 mm for the sprinkler and Californian systems, respectively. This system also recorded the highest yield at 49.87 t/ha, compared to 20.27 t/ha for the Californian system. Plants irrigated by drip irrigation produced more fruits and showed better vegetative development.
The study highlights the relevance of drip irrigation as a technology adapted to Sahelian conditions due to its ability to simultaneously improve agricultural yields and water productivity. Its adoption could contribute to more sustainable management of water resources in vegetable production systems in Mali.