Feasibility of Wheat Cultivation with Saline Groundwater Irrigation using Drip in Arid Climate of Rajasthan

Abstract

Study on effect of irrigation water salinity on yield attributes of wheat varieties under drip irrigation was carried out during rabi (i.e. winter) season of 2012-13 and 2013-14 at Bikaner. Treatments comprised of four water salinity levels viz. ECiw 0.25 dS m-1 (as Best Available Water (BAW)), 4, 8, and 12 dS m-1 and four wheat varieties namely Raj 3077, Raj 4188, KRL 210 and KRL 213. Salinity level of each treatment was regularly monitored and maintained throughout the growing period. Yield attributes and crop yields were recorded. The highest grain and straw yield of wheat was recorded with ECiw 0.25 dS m-1, which differ non-significantly with ECiw 4 dS m-1. Variety Raj 3077 established its superiority over other varieties at all levels of ECiw. The maximum salinity was observed in 0 to 15 cm layers which decreased in the sub-surface layers of 15 to 30 and 30 to 45 cm for all levels of ECiw. The combination of drip irrigation and wheat variety (Raj 3077) has proved effective in ensuring higher benefit cost ratio (>2) and higher water productivity (>= 0.75 kg m-3) for wheat crop. This approach may ensure long-term sustainability of crop production in arid climatic condition.