RE SPONSE OF DRIP IR RI GA TION, FERTIGATION AND MULCH ING IN FRUIT CROPS FOR ENHANCED QUALITY ATTRIBUTES AND PRODUCTIVITY—A REVIEW

Abstract

Horticultural production in India is to be increased to improve the nutritional security and economy of the people. Production can be increased manifolds through the adoption of modern technologies like micro-irrigation, fertigation and mulching, which increases the water use efficiency (WUE) and fertilizer use efficiency (FUE). Drip irrigation is economically viable for most of horticultural crops viz., banana, grapes, citrus, pomegranate and apple. Drip irrigation is the most appropriate tool to supply water and nutrients to the plant, which not only saves water but also increases the production of fruit crops along with rereduction in labour. Although the fertilizers are costly entities, but their requirement is essential for proper growth and development of plants. These fertilizers through drip irrigation ensures proper utilization and results in better yield. Mulching along with drip and fertigation, controls weeds population and further increases the efficiency of the system. The shrinking land : man and water : man ratio, increasing fertilizer prices, haunting energy crisis, wide spread pollution and fast degradation of natural resource, further emphasize the need for improved water and fertilizer use efficiency. This paper review the drip irrigation and fertigation research conducted by different workers in the field of horticulture on different fruit crops viz., apple, apricot, banana, guava, grape, mango, litchi, pomegranate, papaya and citrus. Results from these studies indicated significant increase in yield, enhancement of water use efficiency and nutrient use efficiency in most of the fruit crops.