Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

IRRIGATION AND FERTIGATION SCHEDULING UNDER GRAVITY FED DRIP IRRIGATION FOR CABBAGE (BRASSICA OLERACEA L. VAR. CAPITATA) CROP

Daleshwar Rajak, H.K. Mittal1, S.R. Bhakar, S.S. Lakhawat, K.K. Yadav and H.K. Jain

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted at Plasticulture Farm, Udaipur, Rajasthan during winter season 2012-13 to maximize the water and fertilizer use efficiency in cabbage crop. The experiments was laid out in factorial randomized block design with ten treatment combinations of three irrigation levels 100, 80 and 60% of evapotranspiration (ET) and three fertigation levels, viz. 100, 75 and 50% of recommended N and K fertigation through drip irrigation and one control (Surface irrigation at 1.0 IW/CPE ratio + 100% RDF through farmer’s practice) and were replicated thrice. In cabbage, the highest yields (338.42 q ha-1) were recorded in treatment drip irrigation at 80% of ET with fertigation of 75% of recommended N and K with maximum plant height, plant spread and diameter of cabbage head. The maximum water saving (53.69%) and highest water use efficiency of 176.86 kg ha-1 mm-1 recorded in drip irrigation at 60% of ET with fertigation of 75% of recommended N and K. Use efficiency of N and K were recorded in drip irrigation at 80% of ET with fertigation of 50% of recommended N and K. The maximum benefit-cost ratio (2.26) was estimated in drip irrigation at 80% of ET with fertigation of 75% of recommended N and K.