Potential Impact of Spacing and Fertilizer Levels on the Flowering, Productivity and Economic Viability of Hybrid Bhendi (<i>Abelmoschus esculentus</i> L. Moench) under Drip Fertigation System

Abstract

Drip irrigation provides an efficient method of fertilizer delivery and allows precise timing and uniform distribution of applied nutrients. Fertilizer application through drip irrigation (fertigation) can reduce fertilizer usage and minimize groundwater pollution due to fertilizer leaching from excessive irrigation. For this purpose, field experiments were carried out in the farmers' field at Thoppur, Dharmapuri District, Tamil Nadu, during 2010-2012 to study the effect of spacing and fertilizer levels on the flowering, pod yield and economic viability of Bhendi Hybrid (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) under drip fertigation system. The treatments consisted of two spacings (M 1 -60 × 45 cm and M 2 -60 × 30 cm) and eight drip fertigation levels (S 1 -Drip fertigation with WSF at 125 per cent RDF + Azophosmet + Humic acid, S 2 -Drip fertigation with WSF at 100 per cent RDF + Azophosmet + Humic acid, S 3 -Drip fertigation with WSF at 75 per cent RDF + Azophosmet + Humic acid, S 4 -Drip fertigation with WSF at 100 per cent RDF, S 5 -Drip fertigation with SF at 125 per cent RDF + Azophosmet + Humic acid, S 6 -Drip fertigation with SF at 100 per cent RDF + Azophosmet + Humic acid, S 7 -Drip fertigation with SF at 75 per cent RDF + Azophosmet + Humic acid, S 8 -Drip fertigation with SF at 100 per cent RDF), and were replicated thrice in a split plot design. Results showed that the earliest flowering (26.21 days), 50% flowering (51.31), number of flowers per plant (25.33) and highest pod yield of 596.70 g/plant, 24.91 t/ha was registered in drip fertigation at 100 per cent recommended dose of fertilizers as water soluble fertilizer combination with Azophosmet and humic acid under wider spacing. The economics of the study clearly showed that drip fertigation at 100 per cent recommended dose of fertilizers as water soluble fertilizer along with Azophosmet and humic acid under wider spacing was found to record higher BCR of 2.99.

RESPONSE OF TISSUE CULTURED BANANA (Musa acuminate L.) cv. GRAND NAINE TO DIFFERENT LEVELS OF NUTRIENTS UNDER DRIP FERTIGATION AND BLACK PLASTIC MULCH

“…The fertilizer levels also had significant effect on B-C ratio. The results obtained for different fertigation levels in Table 7 are in similar trends with results reported by (Rajaraman and Pugalendhi, 2013). The mulched treatments T 1 , T 3 , T 5 & T 7 resulted in greater net return per ha ranging between 4% and 23% and higher B:C ratio than their corresponding treatments without mulch with drip fertigation.…”

Economic and Resource Impacts of Drip Method of Irrigation on Okra Cultivation

“…By supplying water at the required time and quantity using pipe network, DMI promises to check the excess supply of irrigation water and put an end to the water losses occurring through conveyance and distribution. The experimental data-based studies carried out in different locations show that the okra crop cultivated under DMI increases the productivity by about 20-30 per cent and saves water by about 40-60 per cent over the method of FMI (see Biswas, 2010;INCID, 1994;Rajaraman & Pugalendhi, 2013;Rekha & Mahavishnan, 2008;Sharma & Kaushal, 2015). DMI also has the potential of enhancing the productivity of crops that too with a reduced cost of cultivation (Dhawan, 2002;Namara, Upadhyay & Nagar, 2005;Narayanamoorthy, 1996Narayanamoorthy, , 1997Narayanamoorthy, , 2004aNarayanamoorthy, , 2005Postal, Polak, Gonzales & Keller, 2001;Shah & Keller, 2014;Shreshta & Gopalakrishnan, 1993).…”

Influence of Spacing and Nutrient Management on Nutrient Content of Okra

“…Increased nitrogen content in different plant parts are due to the higher availability in the root zone, uptake and accumulation of nitrogen, which may take place gradually with the advancement of crop growth phase (Rajaraman and Pugalendhi, 2013). The higher nutrient contnet in stalk is increased as the increasing in application of nutrient, this indicates that the nutrient uptake was directly proportional to soil application of nutrients as well as fruit yield of the crop reported by Majeeduddin Solangi et al, (2015).…”

“…The growth, yield and quality of crop are largely influenced by the fertility status of soil apart from genetic potential of the variety. Altering the soil nutrients and fertility status by providing balanced and adequate major nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as per the crop requirement is one of the easiest way to boost up crop productivity (Rajaraman et al, 2013) In Karnataka most soils, especially in Southern Dry Zone area are low in available plant nutrients which are necessary for plant growth and high yield. It is therefore, necessary to supplement the amount of nutrients present in the soil to meet crop requirement.…”