Evapotranspiration and Crop Coefficient of Okra under Subsurface Drip with and without Plastic Mulch

Abstract

Field experiments using lysimeters were conducted in sub-humid climatic condition to estimate water balance parameters, regional crop coefficient development and to evaluate yield response of okra crop under subsurface drip (SSD) irrigation with and without plastic mulch. In the year 2016, total crop evapotranspiration under SSD with and without plastic mulch was 403 and 512 mm respectively, whereas in 2017 it was 363 and 468 mm respectively. Average crop coefficient of okra was 0.31, 0.42, 0.68, 0.77 and 0.48 measured under SSD with plastic mulch condition, and 0.51, 0.72, 0.92, 0.93 and 0.53 without plastic mulch. High yield of okra with minimum crop evapotranspiration was observed under SSD with plastic mulch treatment due to lower irrigation water requirement, minimum evaporation and less weed transpiration under plastic film compared to nonmulch condition.

Performance of off-season Okra under Protected Structures in Semi-Arid Region

“…Mulching has become an important practice in modern field production due to benefits such as increase in soil temperature [7,8] reduced weed pressure [9] moisture conservation [10], water saving and increase water use efficiency [11], reduction of certain insect pests [12] reducer soil erosion [13], higher crop yields [14] and more efficient use of soil nutrients. The stem diameter, plant height, internodes length, number of fruits/plant, weight of fruits/plant and fruit yield were recorded as 13.60 mm, 123.54 cm, 12.83 cm, 20.80, 216.68 gm and 10318.13 kg/ha respectively in silver black plastic mulch while it was found minimum in no mulch which was matched with [15,16,17]. Similar results were also obtained by [18] in chili and [19] in brinjal cultivation.…”

Timing and water temperature of drip irrigation regulate cotton growth and yield under film mulching in arid areas of Xinjiang

“…Plastic film mulching is a vital field management technology for agricultural production, improving crop yields while minimizing water input 4‐6 . The drip irrigation technology under mulching, which combines drip irrigation with plastic film mulching, can improve the soil temperature, reduces evaporation between plants, reduces deep leakage, and allows the application of water to be balanced against the yield 7‐9 . For example, Sui et al .…”

“…[4][5][6] The drip irrigation technology under mulching, which combines drip irrigation with plastic film mulching, can improve the soil temperature, reduces evaporation between plants, reduces deep leakage, and allows the application of water to be balanced against the yield. [7][8][9] For example, Sui et al reported that drip irrigation under mulching significantly increases yield by 10-29% and water use efficiency by 10-31% with nitrogen (N) of 230 kg hm −2 . 10 Zong et al demonstrated that drip irrigation under film increased the soil moisture and temperature, especially during the early and middle growth stages of cotton.…”