Optimization of water and nitrogen is vital for gladiolus production. Field experiments were carried out during rabi seasons of 2012-13, 2013-2014 and 2014-15 to evaluate the four irrigation regimes (gravityfed drip irrigation schedule at 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 of pan evaporation replenishment, E0 including surface irrigation as control) and three settings of nitrogen nutrition (100% RDN as vermicompost, 50% RDN as vermicompost + 50% RDN as fertilizer and 100% RDN as fertilizer) on gladiolus cv. American beauty. The results showed that under assured irrigation water supply, maximum spike and corm yields, gross return, net return and BCR (3.44) was obtained with optimal drip irrigation at 1.0 E0 with 50% RDN as vermicompost + 50% RDN as fertilizer. However, under limited irrigation water supply, moderate deficit drip irrigation at 0.8 E0 with 50% RDN as vermicompost + 50% RDN as fertilizer was found most viable alternative in deriving higher yields, gross return, net return and BCR (3.32). Under water scarce, reasonable good yields, gross return, net return and BCR (2.62) was accomplished with higher deficit drip irrigation at 0.6 E0 with 50% RDN as vermicompost + 50% RDN as fertilizer. The findings highlight the techno-economic feasibility of low-cost gravity drip irrigation and nitrogen management for efficient utilization of available groundwater and nitrogen resources for profitable gladiolus cultivation in Gangetic alluvial plains of eastern India.

A field experiment was conducted during three consecutive winter seasons of 2013-14 to 2015-16 in the Indo-Gangetic plains encompassing humid tropical climatic region to study four irrigation regimes (gravity drip at 1.0, 0.8 and 0.6 ETc and surface irrigation) and four nitrogen management (100% RDN, 75% RDN + 25% RDN as vermicompost, 75% RDN + 25% RDN as FYM and 75% RDN + 25% RDN as mustard oilcake) on sweet corn. The results showed that surface irrigation with 75% RDN + 25% RDN as vermicompost was found the best treatment combination for maximum yield and economic realization which being competitive with drip irrigation at 1.0 ETc with 75% RDN + 25% RDN as vermicompost. Relatively higher quality parameters and moderate water productivity were observed with drip irrigation schedule at 1.0 ETc. The findings portray the precise planning and efficient management of available water and nitrogen resources for sweet corn growers.

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Sustainability of quality fruit production in Indian jujube is adversely affected by improper irrigation and nutrient management. A field study comprising of four irrigation levels (drip irrigation at 0.8, 0.6 and 0.4 of pan evaporation (E0) and surface irrigation at 1.0 IW/CPE with 50 mm depth) and three nutrient levels (100% RDF, 75% RDF+25% RDF as vermicompost and 50% RDF+50% RDF as vermicompost) was conducted during 2018-19 (11 months) on jujube plant. Results showed that tallest tree (3.72 m), greatest tree circumference (0.32 m), maximum fruits tree-1 (563), highest fruit weight (15.5 g) and fruit yield tree-1 (8.42 kg) were recorded with drip irrigation at 0.8 E0 with 100% RDF. Minimum growth, yield components and yield were found with drip irrigation at 0.4 E0 with 50% RDF+50% RDF as vermicompost. Seasonal ETa was 373.6, 409.4 and 446.4 mm for drip irrigation at 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 E0, respectively and 694 mm for surface irrigation. Maximum CWUE of 18.87 g tree-1 mm-1 was obtained with drip irrigation at 0.8 E0 with 100% RDF. About 55.7-75.5% water was saved by drip irrigations which could bring an additional area of 55.5-85.8% under drip irrigated jujube. Highest predicted yield of 9.02 kg tree-1 was accomplished with 278 mm irrigation water. This model approach could serve as a good guideline to yield potential decision in relation to limited irrigation water for jujube growers in the Indo-Gangetic plains or similar agro-climatic regions.