EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF SYNTHETIC MULCHES VS ORGANIC MULCHES ON WATER USE EFFICIENCY (WUE) WITH BEAN YIELD UNDER DRIP IRRIGATION IN BUSIA, UGANDA
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Date
2026
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BUSITEMA UNIVERSITY
Abstract
Bean production in Busia District, Uganda, is increasingly constrained by soil moisture deficits arising from erratic rainfall and prolonged dry spells, resulting in low and unstable yields. This study evaluated the impact of synthetic mulch (plastic film) and organic mulches (straw and wood chips) on water use efficiency (WUE) and bean (NABE 32) yield under drip irrigation at the Busitema University Demonstration Site. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four treatments which included plastic mulch (T1), straw mulch (T2), wood chips mulch (T3), and a no-mulch control (T4) each replicated three times, was used. Key parameters measured included soil moisture content, plant height, number of leaves, days to flowering, pods per plant, grain yield, WUE, and economic performance indicators.
Results showed that mulch type had a highly significant effect on all measured parameters (P < 0.05). Plastic mulch produced the highest grain yield of 1,963 kg/ha, followed by straw mulch at 1,685 kg/ha, wood chips at 1,444 kg/ha, and the control at 1,056 kg/ha. Corresponding WUE values were 8.15, 7.00, 6.00, and 4.38 kg/mm respectively. Soil moisture was consistently highest under plastic mulch (25.19–29.97%) and lowest in the control (17.93–22.95%) throughout the cropping season. Mulched treatments also exhibited earlier flowering, taller plants, more leaves, and higher pod counts compared to the control, reflecting the cumulative agronomic benefits of improved soil moisture conservation under drip irrigation.
Economic analysis revealed that although plastic mulch generated the highest net return (UGX 4,338,883/ha), straw mulch achieved the most favourable benefit-cost ratio (BCR = 5.06) and return on investment (ROI = 405.6%), making it the most economically efficient option for smallholder farmers. All treatments exceeded their break-even yield thresholds, confirming financial viability across the board. The study concludes that integrating mulching with stage-based drip irrigation scheduling significantly enhances crop productivity and water use efficiency, with straw mulch offering the most practical, cost-effective, and scalable solution for bean production in water-stressed tropical environments such as Busia District, Uganda
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Tsemale et al., 2026