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STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF DRIP IRRIGATION, FERTIGATION AND MULCH ON NUTRIENT DISTRIBUTION AND PRODUCTIVITY OF APPLE

KrishiKosh

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Title STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF DRIP IRRIGATION, FERTIGATION AND MULCH ON NUTRIENT DISTRIBUTION AND PRODUCTIVITY OF APPLE
 
Creator SUMAN, SHASHI
 
Contributor RAINA, J.N.
 
Subject Apple;Drip irrigation;fertigation
 
Description ABSTRACT
Drip irrigation and fertigation consequences in apple, with and without mulch, have not yet been
completely established especially, in Himalayan region. The present studies were therefore, undertaken
during 2009-10 to investigate the effect of drip irrigation, fertigation and mulch on soil hydrothermal
regimes, nutrient distribution, weed population, yield and quality of apple. Two field experiments were
conducted simultaneously in same orchard wherein, three drip irrigation levels (100, 80 and 60 per cent
ETc.) and three fertigation levels (100, 80 and 60 per cent of recommended dose) were tried and
compared with conventional practices, with and without mulch. Soil moisture content under drip
irrigation remained higher in the upper soil layers (0-30 cm) whereas, under conventional surface
irrigation, deeper soil layers registered higher moisture content. The wetting front extended up to 45 cm
horizontally however, the maximum moisture content remained confined near the emitting point.
Application of black polyethylene mulch resulted in 2-4 per cent unit higher soil moisture compared to
unmulched condition. Mulch raised the minimum soil temperature by 2.5 oC, whereas, it failed to alter
the maximum soil temperature appreciably. Available N and K content under drip fertigation were
significantly higher in the upper 0-30 cm soil layers than conventional soil fertilization plus irrigations,
suggesting higher leaching losses in the later. Further, N and K was higher below the emitter and
decreased consistently with increasing lateral distance from emitter up to 30 cm, thereafter a sharp
decline was noticed. Irrespective of treatments, available P remained confined within 0-20 cm distance
from the point of application, both vertically and laterally. Leaf nutrient contents were also higher
under drip fertigation. Both drip irrigation and fertigation resulted in significantly higher tree growth,
yield and quality of apple, compared to conventional practices. Fruit yield was about 13 and 33 per cent
higher under drip irrigation and fertigation compared to conventional irrigations and soil fertilization,
respectively. Plastic mulch further raised the yield by about 10-15 per cent besides 20 per cent savings
in irrigation water and weed control. Thus, a saving of about 20 per cent fertilizers and about 50 per
cent irrigation water can be achieved through drip fertigation plus plastic mulch besides appreciable
improvement in soil hydrothermal regimes, tree vigour, fruit yield and quality of apple.
 
Date 2016-07-01T10:58:08Z
2016-07-01T10:58:08Z
2011
 
Type Thesis
 
Identifier http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/68347
 
Language en
 
Format application/pdf