ABSTRACT In Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia, banana production is limited by both water scarcity and inefficient irrigation methods. This study aimed to determine optimal irrigation scheduling for drip‐irrigated banana (Musa spp. cv. Williams‐1) using the management allowed depletion (MAD) levels. A field experiment was conducted at Melkassa Agricultural Research Center over two growing seasons (2020–2023). Five MAD thresholds (60%, 80%, 100%, 120% and 140% depletion of available soil water) were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Growth parameters, yield components, water productivity and economic returns were evaluated. The 80% MAD treatment consistently outperformed all other regimes, producing the highest marketable yield (39. 6 t ha −1 over 2 years), longest fruit length (14. 1 cm), greatest plant height (299. 1 cm) and maximum water productivity (2. 0 kg m −3) while requiring only 56 irrigation events per season. Seasonal net irrigation requirement did not differ significantly among treatments (1429–1494 mm), indicating that MAD level does not proportionally reduce total water use. Partial budget analysis identified the 80% MAD treatment as the most profitable, with a net benefit of 43, 735 ha −1 and a marginal rate of return of 4458% when transitioning from 100% MAD. Severe deficit (120%–140% MAD) reduced yield and fruit quality, whereas more frequent irrigation (60% MAD) increased costs without agronomic benefit. We recommend 80% MAD as the optimal drip irrigation schedule for banana in Ethiopia's semi‐arid environments, enhancing water productivity, fruit quality and economic viability under climatic uncertainty.
Tefera et al. (Tue,) studied this question.