Thumbnail Image

Thesis

Browse

 Reset filters

Settings

Subject: Irrigation and Drainage Engineering ×

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 9 of 19
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Determination of crop coefficient of groundnut using lysimeter
    (Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani, 2022-11-30) Balore, Kapileshwar Ashokrao; Awari, H.W.
    The Indian population depends on agricultural production. as the, food demand is increased with increasing the country population hence there is a necessity to increase the productivity of crops. The improves water utilization due to either low efficiency of irrigation or inadequate irrigation scheduling can lead to loss of water, which resulting in higher production costs and negative environmental impacts. Maharashtra comes under to arid and semi-arid climate. Mostly the farmers of the Maharashtra, grow the summer groundnut which requires the accurate timely irrigation to get optimum production level. Groundnut is important protein crops grown in India generally under rain-fed conditions. In Marathwada groundnut is specially grown in the command area of Jayakwadi, Purna and Yeldari which comes under Aurangabad, Jalna, Parbhani, Hingoli and Nanded districts during summer season. To workout the precise irrigation water demand the present project entitled, “Determination of crop coefficient of groundnut using lysimeter” was carried out during year 2021-2022 at the Department of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, CAET, VNMKV, Parbhani. The project aimed with specific objectives of determine crop coefficient for groundnut crop using lysimeter for computation of accurate irrigation water demand for irrigation planning and application. The weighing type lysimeter was installed to estimate the actual crop evapotranspiration considering water balance parameters. The potential evapotranspiration for Parbhani region was workout using daily weather data such as maximum and minimum temperature, average relative humidity, wind speed and solar radiation was collected from Department of Agriculture Meteorology. The results obtained for daily potential evapotranspiration was converted into week wise average potential evapotranspiration. It was found that potential evapotranspiration was ranges 4.4 mm to 7.3 mm, which increased with respect to change in climate during summer season. The actual evapotranspiration of crop i.e. ETc estimated during the crop growth season 2022 was 613 mm and week wise it ranged between 1.76 to 10.92 mm. During 15th MW actual evapotranspiration was lowered at 7.9 mmday-1 due to less potential evapotranspiration during the month of April. The crop coefficient ranged from 0.4 to 1.4 from the 6th MW to 19th MW, then it was decreased up to 0.7. During initial stage of groundnut crop Kc ranged 0.4 to 0.7 (1 to 30 days), then after it was increased 0.74 to 1.31 (31 to 65 days) during mid-season stage. During the development stage, it was almost all having constant Kc as to the tune 1.3 to 1.4 for the period of 30 days (66 to 95 days). Thereafter, during late season stage it was decreased 0.95 to 0.51 (96 to 110 days). It shows that as per crop growth stage crop coefficient increased from the 0.4 to 1.4. The comparison of lysimeter and FAO crop coefficient values showed that kc values were low initially, which increased to a maximum during crop development as the crop physiology fully developed and thereafter decreased during late season stage of groundnut at the time of harvest. The results indicated that the lysimeter Kc values were considerably different and higher than those suggested by FAO 56 which indicates the need to develop location specific crop coefficient values of crops.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Estimation and geospatial mapping of weekly crop evapotranspiration and irrigation water requirement of major crops for Marathwada region
    (Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani, 2022-11-30) Waghmare, Bhagyashri Nathrao; Khodke, U.M.
    The present research on “Estimation and geospatial mapping of weekly crop evapotranspiration and irrigation water requirement of major crops for Marathwada region” was carried out during the year 2021-2022 in the Department of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, CAET, VNMKV, Parbhani. The project is aimed to estimate crop evapotranspiration and irrigation water requirement for major crops of Marathwada region and to generate their spatial maps using GIS. The crop evapotranspiration (ETc) of major crops viz. cotton, pigeon pea, soybean, wheat, safflower, gram was estimated using earlier estimated reference crop evapotranspiration (ETo) using 31 years (1990-2020) historical weather data of evapotranspiration and derived crop coefficients of these crops for Parbhani conditions. Daily weather data of eight districts of Marathwada region such as solar radiation, wind speed, maximum temperature, minimum temperature, average relative humidity and solar radiation was collected from website. The weekly crop evapotranspiration (ETc) was determined by multiplying weekly ETo of each location with developed Kc and irrigation water requirement was estimated under different irrigation methods considering their efficiency for major crops of Marathwada region. In this study the estimated values of crop evapotranspiration (ETC) and irrigation water requirement (IWR) were then used for GIS data base to create raster surface from point data by using IDW interpolation method in ArcGIS software. The GIS maps were prepared showing weekly spatial variation of crop evapotranspiration and irrigation water requirement of major crops in Marathwada region. Results indicated that the crop evapotranspiration (ETc) of various crops under study varied with the crop growth stage across the Marathwada region. The ETc was minimum at the initial and late season/maturity stages whereas comparatively higher crop evapotranspiration and irrigation water requirement (IWR) was observed in crop development and mid-season stage for all the crops. Among the various crops studied, cotton has the highest ETc and IWR followed by pigeon pea, wheat, safflower, soybean and gram. The average seasonal crop evapotranspiration for cotton, pigeon pea, soybean, wheat, safflower and gram were found to be 838, 644, 331, 619, 482 and 342 mm respectively, in Marathwada region In case of cotton average crop evapotranspiration varied between 2.11 to 5.49 mm/day whereas the IWR under surface and drip irrigation varied between 3.51 to 9.15 mm/day and 1.33 to 3.47 mm/day respectively. Similarly, for pigeon pea ETC varied between 0.85 to 5.24 mm/day. The IWR of pigeon pea varied between 1.42 to 8.74 mm/day and between 0.54 to 3.31 mm/day under surface and drip irrigation respectively. In case of soybean, average crop evapotranspiration varied between 1.88 to 5.20 mm/day whereas the IWR under surface and sprinkler irrigation varied between 3.13 to 8.67 mm/day and between 1.98 to 5.48 mm/day, respectively. For wheat ETC varied between 0.98 to 8.05 mm/day and the IWR under surface and sprinkler irrigation method varied between 1.63 to 13.42 mm/day and 1.15 to 9.48 mm/day, respectively. Similarly, for Safflower ETC differs between 1.26 to 5.94 mm/day and the IWR under surface and sprinkler irrigation varied between 2.10 to 9.90 mm/day and 1.48 to 6.99 mm/day respectively. In case of gram average crop evapotranspiration varied between 1.69 to 4.99 mm/day and the IWR varied between 2.82 to 8.32 mm/day and 1.99 to 5.87 mm/day under surface and sprinkler irrigation method, respectively. The results revealed that the estimated IWR of crops are significantly higher under surface irrigation than sprinkler and drip irrigation method. The spatial distribution of ETC and irrigation water requirement of major crops showed their increasing trend from northern part of Hingoli to southern part of Osmanabad. The estimated values and spatial distribution maps of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and irrigation water requirement for major crops in Marathwada can be used by the farmers and developmental agencies for irrigation water planning. The results of the study can also be used for development of water resource plans and subsequently crop planning for Marathwada region. The outcomes of this study are useful for farmers and developmental agencies for future irrigation and crop water planning and it can be work as a guide to the farmers for selecting the amount and frequency of irrigation for various crops under the Marathwada region.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Yield response of cluster bean (Cyamposis tetragonoloba L.) to different irrigation and fertigation levels
    (Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani, 2022-11-30) Rohokale, Ankita Sadashiv; Jadhav, S.B.
    The present investigation entitled as “Yield response of cluster bean (Cyamposis tetragonoloba L.) to different irrigation and fertigation levels” was carried out at experimental field of AICRP on Irrigation Water Management, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani (MS) during summer season 2020-21. The experiment was laid out in split plot design where main plots were assigned for five irrigation levels viz., I1: Drip irrigation at 0.4 ETc, I2: Drip irrigation at 0.6 ETc, I3: Drip irrigation at 0.8 ETc, I4: Drip irrigation at 1.0 ETc and I5: Farmers Practice and sub plots were allotted to four fertigation levels viz., F1: Control (No fertilizer application), F2: 50% of RDF through drip (20:30:30 NPK kg ha-1), F3: 75% of RDF through drip (30:45:45 NPK kg ha-1), F4: 100% of RDF through drip (40:60:60 NPK kg ha-1) and thus twenty treatment combinations were replicated twice. The sowing of cluster bean variety Pusa Navbahar was undertaken on 27th January 2022 by dibbling method at the spacing of 60 cm x 30 cm on raised bed for drip irrigation treatment and 60 cm x 30 cm for farmer’s practice. Irrigation was scheduled at alternate day in drip irrigation treatments on the basis of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) as per the different irrigation levels (0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 ETc). Fertigation treatments were applied through water soluble fertilizers in six splits as per the fertigation schedule taking into consideration the growth stages and nutrient requirement of the crop. In farmer’s practice complete dose of NPK was applied uniformly at the time of sowing as per the treatments. Biometric observations on growth parameters were recorded during experimental period at periodical interval of 30 days starting from 30 DAS to harvest of crop. In post-harvest studies observations pertaining to yield attributes, yield and were also recorded. Besides this plant growth analysis, water use efficiency, nutrient use efficiency was estimated by adopting the standard methods and procedures. The results of experiment revealed that application of drip irrigation at 1.0 ETc scheduled at alternate day recorded significantly higher growth parameters like plant height, number of branches plant-1, number of leaves plant-1 and leaf area index, however it was at par with irrigation level 0.8 ETc. Also, application of drip irrigation at 1.0 ETc scheduled at alternate day recorded significantly higher yield attributes, gross monetary return, net monetary return and benefit cost ratio over rest of the irrigation levels and it was at par with irrigation level 0.8 ETc. Drip fertigation with 40:60:60 NPK kg ha-1 (100% RDF) in six splits as per the fertigation schedule through water soluble fertilizers recorded significantly higher growth parameters like plant height, number of branches plant-1, number of leaves plant-1 and leaf area index and significantly higher yield attributes, gross monetary return and net monetary return, however it was at par with 30:45:45 NPK kg ha-1 (75% RDF). Significantly higher benefit cost ratio was obtained in fertigation treatment 75% RDF (30:45:45 NPK kg ha-1) and was at par with 100% RDF (40:60:60 NPK kg ha-1). The highest water use efficiency was recorded in case of drip irrigation level of 0.4 ETc followed by 0.6 ETc, 0.8 ETc and 1.0 ETc. And fertigation level 40:60:60 NPK kg ha-1 (100% RDF) gave the highest water use efficiency as compared to lower fertigation level 30:45:45 NPK kg ha-1 (75% RDF) and 20:30:30 NPK kg ha-1 (50% RDF). Similarly, drip irrigation at 1.0 ETc recorded higher value of nutrient use efficiency of cluster bean followed by drip irrigation at 0.8 ETc. Application of drip fertigation at 20:30:30 NPK kg ha-1 (50% RDF) recorded higher value of nutrient use efficiency followed by 30:45:45 NPK kg ha-1 (75% RDF) through drip. Thus, from the above findings it can be concluded that for realizing productive and profitable yield of cluster bean application of drip irrigation at 0.8 ETc scheduled at alternate day and fertigation at 30:45:45 NPK kg ha-1 (75% RDF) in six splits as per the fertigation schedule through water soluble fertilizers was found optimum.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Assessment of aquacrop model for irrigated cotton under deficit irrigation in semi-arid tropics of Maharashtra
    (Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani, 2022-01-07) Jadhav, Ramkishan Narayan; Jadhav, S.B.
    Predicting attainable yield under water limiting condition is an important goal in rainfed agriculture. Proper irrigation planning is not only essential for water saving but also for yield enhancement and it is only possible when an accurate and reliable decision-making tool has been adopted. AquaCrop is one of the models extensively used for irrigation planning purposes. To evaluate the performance of the model, the present experiment entitled on “Assessment of AquaCrop model for irrigated cotton under deficit irrigation in semi-arid tropics of Maharashtra’’ was carried out at Department of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, CAET, Parbhani. The experiment was conducted in such a way that AquaCrop model was calibrated for the year 2009-2010 and it was validated for the year 2010-2011. Part of the obtained field data i.e. data for full irrigation treatment (100% ETc) for the year 2009-2010 was used for calibration of the model, while the data of 2010-2011 was used to validate the model. AquaCrop version 6.1 was used in the study. There was a close match between observed and simulated canopy cover. It was supported by high value of R2NS (0.97). Another statistical parameter CRM having value of -0.045, indicates that the model overestimates the canopy cover. The high value of Nash Sutcliffe coefficient (R2NS) value as 0.81 shows close match between observed and simulated yield. The CRM (Coefficient of Residual Mass) between observed and simulated yield was also as low as -0.060, indicating that the model overestimated the yield. Considering overall acceptability of validation results, it was concluded that the model performs well with relatively high validity.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Drainage morphometric analysis for watershed within vnmkv campus using geoinformatic techniques
    (Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani, 2022-01-03) Phupate, Ambika Babanrao; Ingle, V.K.
    India is an agricultural country its economy majorly depends upon the agriculture. The agriculture is now facing challenges of climate change, rainfall variability pattern, crop diseases, insufficient irrigation and volatile market etc. (Bhan and Behera, 2014). Watershed is an area delineated with a well-defined topographic boundary and outlets. It is a region within which water becomes concentrated within a particular location, for example, a river or a water reservoir, by which the watershed is drained within the topographic boundary or water divided, watershed comprises a complex of soils, landforms, vegetation, and land uses. Digital elevation models (DEM) are now frequently used for watershed mapping study such as stream network delineation, extraction, and characterization of watershed topography & using the watershed delineation tool in GIS software, create an elevation map, a slope map, and an aspect map. Thematic maps emphasize spatial variation of one or a small number of geographic distributions. These distributions may be physical phenomena such as climate or human characteristics such as elevation, soil texture, slope, or population density and health issues. In this study drainage map implies that study area has dendrite nature which show that basin formed by homogeneous rock and also has fine drainage texture. LULC class depicts that crop land has maximum area of 82.81% and fallow land has minimum area of 6.85%, whereas residential area and shrub land has area of 6.20%, 4.12% respectively. The morphometric characteristics at the watershed scale may enclose important information regarding its formation and development because all hydrologic and geomorphic processes occur within the watershed (Singh, 1992).The importance of drainage morphometric in understanding landform processes, soil physical qualities, and erosional characteristics cannot be overstated. During the present study for Geographic Information System work ArcGIS ver.10.3 software was used for data processing. In VNMKV-Pingali watershed there are 808 total streams out of which 662 streams are of Ist order, 119 streams of IInd order, 21 streams of IIIrd order, 5 streams of IVthorder and 1 stream for Vth order. Early hydrograph peak with potential for flash flooding is predicted by a high bifurcation ratio (8.29) during the storm events in the areas in which these stream orders dominate, it also indicates strong structural control on the drainage pattern. The presence of a high drainage density (2.66 to 2.70) indicates a poor permeability subsoil and moderate to coarse drainage texture. High infiltration number revealing the low infiltration capacity and high runoff rate. Rc, Rf, and Re depict the basin's elongated shape and point out the low and delayed discharge of runoff, medium relief of the terrain and basin is susceptible to erosion. Very fine drainage texture (8.35) with moderate to low permeability brings out high surface runoff causes more erosion. Using shape factor such as Rc (0.22), Rf (0.30), Re (0.62) show that basin shape is elongated similarly relief aspect like ruggedness number (1.46) show that study area signify lower time of concentration of overland flow and soil erosion possibility is high. There are total 200 water harvesting structures are suggested out of these 169 are farm ponds, 29 are earthen nala bunds whereas 2 are check dam. For selection of suitable site location guidelines from IMSD and FAO are used.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Estimation and generation of spatial reference evapotranspiration maps using gis techniques for marathwada region
    (Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani, 2022-01-07) Jawale, Balaji Vivekanand; Ingle, V.K.
    The present project entitled, “Estimation and generation of spatial reference evapotranspiration maps using GIS techniques for Marathwada region” was carried out during year 2020-2021 at the Department of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, CAET, VNMKV, Parbhani. The project aimed with specific objectives of estimation of reference evapotranspiration for Marathwada region and generation of spatial maps using GIS. To find out reference evapotranspiration for Marathwada region, daily weather data such as maximum and minimum temperature, average relative humidity, wind speed and solar radiation was collected from https://power.larc.nasa.gov website. Daily weather data of 31 years (1990-2020) was used to estimate reference evapotranspiration. The DSS_ET software was used to estimate daily reference evapotranspiration for Marathwada region. The results or outputs obtained from the software were further analyzed according to Standard Meteorological weeks. Daily reference evapotranspiration converts into weekly basis by using weather cock software. The average weekly reference evapotranspiration for Aurangabad, Beed, Hingoli, Jalna, Latur, Nanded, Osmanabad and Parbhani was obtained as 5.13, 5.41, 5.06, 5.13, 5.06, 5.13, 5.12 and 5.47 mm/day and 5.26, 5.42, 5.21, 5.26, 5.21, 5.22, 5.31 and 5.45 mm/day for HS and PM method respectively for 31 years. The regression analysis values of coefficient of regression (R2) between Penman-Monteith and Hargreaves-Samani method for Aurangabad, Beed, Hingoli, Jalna, Latur, Nanded, Osmanabad and Parbhani district were 0.914, 0.720, 0.878, 0.897, 0.885, 0.872, 0.885 and 0.707 respectively. The values of R2 shows that Hargreaves-Samani is closely related to Penman-Monteith method. The spreading of ET0 values near the regression line implies that these two HS and PM methods are closely correlated with each other. The linear regression equation developed for different districts were presented and these equations will assist in future to select better methods in accordance to the availability of meteorological data, and to understand the extend of variations between estimated ET0 results by HS and PM method. In this study, the annual average values of ET0 obtained from HS and PM methods were nearly identical. A remarkable comparison was found between the performance of HS and PM methods in terms of weekly ET0 calculations. The minimum data requirements of HS method are a major advantage for areas such as the current study region, where data is scarce. Also Hargreaves-Samani method overestimated over the Penman-Monteith method. The extraction of weekly spatial reference evapotranspiration map for taluka level was also performed. The spatial maps produced are useful for hydrologic design, climate change prediction and water management studies in Marathwada region.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Crop growth simulation of maize using dssat model
    (Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani, 2022-01-03) Sangale, Bhagwan Bhanudas; Khodke, U.M.
    The present project entitled, “Crop Growth Simulation of Maize Using DSSAT Model” carried out during year 2020-2021 at the Department of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, CAET, VNMKV, Parbhani. The project aimed with specific objectives of calibration of DSSAT model and to study effect of different irrigation and fertigation levels on crop growth and yield attributing parameters with evaluation of performance of the DSSAT model. Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important food and fodder crop which occupies third rank among cereals after wheat and rice in the world. Drip fertigation optimizes the use of water and fertilizers with higher yields, quality produce with increasing water and fertilizer use efficiency. The design of the field experiment was prepared considering split plot design with irrigation levels as the main factor and fertilizer levels as the sub factors. The treatment consisted of three irrigation levels I1 (1.0 ETc), I2 (0.8 ETc) and I3 (0.6 ETc) and five fertilizer levels viz. F0 (No fertilizer), F1 (100 % RDF through fertigation), F2 (75 % RDF through fertigation), F3 (50 % RDF through fertigation) and F4 (100 % RDF through soil application) with recommended dose of fertilizers was 150:75:75 kg/ha NPK. The Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) is one such software application program that comprises crop simulation models for over 42 crops (as of Version 4.7.5) as well as tools to facilitate effective use of the model to aid farmers in developing long term crop rotational strategies. The DSSAT model was calibrated by using the data of field experiment conducted on response of maize hybrid to drip irrigation and fertigation levels in post kharif season conducted during 2017-18, which includes variety of crop, cropping history, crop management data, soil surface characteristics and soil profile data and daily weather data including total rainfall, maximum and minimum temperature, daily sun shine hours data, relative humidity. The plots under 100% ETc (I1) and 100% RDF (F1) a full irrigation fertilizer treatment of experiment during which crop was almost under non-stress conditions were used to provide necessary information for the calibration of DSSAT. The remaining treatments were used in validating the model. The genetic coefficients of variety DKC- 9149 used in analysis of the model were estimated by repeated reiterations until close match between simulated and observed crop parameters was obtained for all the treatments. Crop parameters such as crop yield, stover yield, biological yield, harvest index and leaf area and leaf area index were estimated. The CERES Maize model of DSSAT underpredicts grain yield, total biological yields and harvest index of maize under all treatments whereas there is good agreement between observed and simulated results in regards with stover yield and leaf area index of maize. The significant association was observed between predicted and measured values of harvest index and leaf area index with correlation coefficient (0.747) and (0.756) respectively, which indicates that the CERES maize model predicted harvest index and leaf area index of maize fairly well.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Estimation of aquifer parameters of wells in V.N.M.K.V., Parbhani campus
    (Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani, 2021-02-03) Giram, Datta Marotrao; Awari, H.W.
    The research work entitled “Estimation of Aquifer Parameters of Wells in VNMKV Parbhani Campus” was carried out during year 2019-2020 to assess the ground water potential of selected area. The ten dug wells were surveyed to conduct the test for determination of aquifer characteristics of the campus area. In order to know the inventory of the wells, following observations viz; diameter of well, depth of well, rock present at water bearing formation, pump details of well were collected. Five wells were selected for pumping test analysis to record the data during the second week of month for January, February, March, May and June 2020. The month wise drawdown behavior with respect to time was studied for W1 to W5 wells. The water level was started falling after 5 minutes after starting of the pump. From the results, it is found that overall drawdown was recorded for all the months and wells were 2.28 to 2.47 m. when pumping was stopped after 240 min. The incremental drawdowns data every after 30 minutes durationrecorded well level falls up to 0.30 m (± 0.07 m) for the all wells during the study. The overall transmissivity of aquifer was found in the range of 0.0077 to 0.0149 m2/min. amongst the monthly transmissivity, lowest transmissivity was recorded in the month of March due to continuous lifting of water. The average storavity of the campus was found as 0.2348 which was in intermediate range. Similarly, the mean specific capacity of wells was found0.42 to 0.46 m2/min with an average specific capacity of all wells was 0.44 m2/min means wells are capable of providing sufficient amount of water for irrigate the medium size farm in the area. The mean hydraulic conductivity of wells were estimated ranges from 0.0013 to 0.0019 m/min. The average hydraulic conductivity of all wells were found 0.0016 m/min. which was within a limit as per United States department Agriculture, natural resources conservation services (USDA NRCS for basalt rock ranges (0.0013 to 0.0029 m/min.). This indicates that wells in the campus is capable to produce intermediate well yield and proving an average yield of 0.240 m3/min even though during summer season (March to June). Considering the peak water requirement of cotton and tomato (rabi season) and average well yield of wells, it is possible to irrigate 8.12 ha and 4.14 ha respectively using drip irrigation system. Also it is possible to irrigate the 3.22 ha area of wheat using furrow irrigation system in rabi season. Hence, the availability of ground water through wells is quite promising to irrigate the fields of marginal to medium farms.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Impact of irrigation and fertigation levels on growth, yield and quality of summer chilli (capsicum annuum L.)
    (Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani, 2020-02-06) Supekar, Sanjay Janardhanrao; Kadale, A.S.
    Water is the vital source for crop production and is the most limiting factor in Indian agricultural scenario. Though India has the largest irrigation network and even if the full irrigation potential is exploited, about 50% of the country’s cultivated area will still remain unirrigated, particularly with the current level of irrigation efficiency not exceeding 40%. Conventional irrigation systems such as basin irrigation and wild flooding apply comparatively larger quantity of water per irrigation leading to huge loss of water in the form of surface runoff, evaporation and deep percolation. To achieve required food and fibre production with increasing population, India has to enhance the current irrigation potential of 91 M ha to 140 M ha. In view of worsening water scarcity and raising water demand, the available water resources should be very effectively utilized through water saving irrigation technologies. Fertilizer is the costliest input after water, in agriculture. Apart from the economics consideration it is also well known that the adverse effect of injudicious use of water and fertilizer on the environment can have far reaching implications. There is, therefore, a need for technological options, which will help in sustaining the precious resources and maximizing crop production without any detrimental impact on the environment. Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) belongs to the Solanaceae family, is one of the important vegetable-cum-spice crops of India. India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of chilli, which contribute to 25% of total world’s production. Chilli being a long duration crop, it responds to split application of nutrients i.e., nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. It responds well to fertigation with 11 to 22 applications in terms of increased growth and yield properties besides, higher water and fertilizer use efficiencies compared to conventional methods of fertigation. Pungency and colour are two important characters liked by consumers. Accurate crop development models are important tools in evaluating the effects of water deficits on crop yield or productivity. Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of United Nations addresses this need by providing a yield response to water simulation model (AquaCrop) with limited sophistication. It simulates crop yield response to water, and is particularly suited to address conditions where water is a key limiting factor in crop production. Keeping these points in view, the present investigation was undertaken with the specific objectives of studying the effect of different drip irrigation and fertigation levels on growth, yield and yield attributes, quality, water and fertilizer use efficiency in chilli. Also field results were used to calibrate and validate AquaCrop model for chilli in Marathwada region. In order to fulfil the objectives of the study, the field experiment was conducted in split plot design with fifteen treatment combinations, replicated thrice during the years 2018 and 2019 at Experimental farm, College of Agriculture, Badnapur. The results of the experiment indicated that Effect of different drip irrigation levels on growth parameters viz., plant height, number of branches and plant spread of chilli was studied and the results revealed that, drip irrigation at 1.00 ETc was found to be significantly superior among the different drip irrigation levels. However, it was found at par with drip irrigation level at 0.90 ETc and at 0.80 ETc during 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 and in pooled results. Thus drip irrigation at 0.8 of crop evapotranspiration was found to be optimum among all tested treatments. Whereas, application of different levels of fertigation in eleven split had non-significant effect on plant height and plant spread of chilli at 30 and 60 DAT and found significant at 90 and 120 DAT. Further fertigation with 100 per cent of RDF and 80 per cent of RDF were found statistically at par with each other for the above growth parameters at various stages of crop growth. Therefore, fertigation with 80 per cent RDF in eleven splits was found to be optimum. Interaction effect of different drip irrigation and fertigation level was found non-significant. Impact of different drip irrigation levels on per cent fruit set, root length and total dry matter production of chilli was studied and results indicated that drip irrigation at 1.00 ETc was found to be significantly superior among the different drip irrigation levels. However, it was found at par with drip irrigation at 0.90 ETc and at 0.80 ETc during 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 and in pooled results. Thus drip irrigation at 0.8 of crop evapotranspiration was found to be better among all the tested treatments. Whereas, among the different levels of fertigation in eleven splits, fertigation with 100 per cent of RDF and 80 per cent of RDF were found statistically at par with each other in case of per cent fruit set, root length and total dry matter production of chilli. Therefore, fertigation with 80 per cent RDF in eleven splits was found optimum. Interaction effect of different drip irrigation and fertigation level was found non-significant. Significant differences on chilli yield and yield attributes viz., fruit length, girth and number of fruits per plant were observed in pooled results for different drip irrigation and fertigation levels. Among drip irrigation levels the yield attributes obtained under drip irrigation at 1.0 ETc were recorded significantly higher for fruit length (9.31 cm), fruit girth (4.96 cm), fruit weight (5.21 g) and number of fruit per plant (103.30) over rest of the irrigation levels. However, it was found at par with drip irrigation level at 0.9 ETc (fruit length 9.15 cm, fruit girth 4.79 cm, fruit weight 5.02 g and number of fruit per plant 101.19) and drip irrigation level at 0.8 ETc (fruit length 8.93 cm, fruit girth 4.74 cm, fruit weight 4.95 g and number of fruit per plant 99.27). Lowest fruit length (7.28 cm), fruit girth (3.93 cm), fruit weight (4.46 g) and number of fruit per plant (74.02) were recorded in drip irrigation level at 0.7 ETc. Thus, drip irrigation level at 0.8 of crop evapotranspiration was found to be optimum. Whereas, pooled results for different fertigation levels, fertigation with 100 per cent of RDF and 80 per cent of RDF found statistically at par with each other for the yield attributes of chilli. Fertigation with 100 per cent RDF recorded significantly higher fruit length (9.17 cm), fruit girth (4.90 cm ), fruit weight (5.19 g) and number of fruit per plant (104.05) and was found statistically at par with fertigation with 80 per cent RDF (fruit length 8.87 cm, fruit girth 4.62 cm, fruit weight 4.95 g) and number of fruit per plant 99.70) but superior than 60 per cent RDF (fruit length 7.93 cm, fruit girth 4.28 cm, fruit weight 4.61 g and number of fruit per plant 72.00). Therefore, fertigation with 80 per cent RDF was said to be good enough. Interaction effect of different drip irrigation and fertigation level was found non-significant on yield attributes of chilli. Yield of chilli recorded under drip irrigation at 1.0 ETc was found significantly higher (15.90 tonnes ha-1) over rest of the irrigation levels. However, it was found at par with drip irrigation level at 0.9 ETc (15.38 tonnes ha-1) and drip irrigation level at 0.8 ETc (15.15 tonnes ha-1) in pooled results. Lower yield was noticed in drip irrigation at 0.7 ETc treatment (12.72 tonnes ha-1). Thus, drip irrigation level at 0.8 of crop evapotranspiration was found to be optimum. Similarly pooled results, for different fertigation levels, yield of chilli recorded under fertigation with 100 per cent of RDF (16.36 tonnes ha-1) was found to be significantly superior to 60 per cent of RDF (12.80 tonnes ha-1) and was at par with 80 per cent of RDF (15.20 tonnes ha-1). Interaction effect of different drip irrigation and fertigation level was found non-significant on yield of chilli. Pooled results indicated that the highest ascorbic acid content of chilli was recorded in drip irrigation level at 1.0 ETc (118.51 mg 100g-1) and found statistically at par with drip irrigation level at 0.9 ETc (117.32 mg 100g-1) and drip irrigation level at 0.8 ETc (116.88 mg 100g-1). Lowest ascorbic acid content of chilli was recorded in drip irrigation level at 0.7 ETc (108.65 mg 100g-1). Therefore, drip irrigation level at 0.8 of crop evapotranspiration was found to be optimum. Fertigation with 100 per cent RDF resulted in highest ascorbic acid content of chilli (118.52 mg 100g-1), which was noticed statistically at par with fertigation with 80 per cent of RDF (116.01 mg 100g-1) in pooled results. Lowest ascorbic acid content of chilli was recorded in treatment fertigation with 60 per cent of RDF (111.28 mg 100g-1). Thus, fertigation with 80 per cent RDF was found to be good enough. Interaction effect of different drip irrigation and fertigation level was recorded non-significant on ascorbic acid content of chilli. The different drip irrigation levels had recorded non-significant effect on oleoresin content of chilli. Oleoresin content was found significantly highest in the treatment fertigation with 100 per cent of RDF (15.41 %) over rest of treatments, but found statistically at par with 80 per cent of RDF (14.60 %) in pooled results. Lowest oleoresin content of chilli was recorded in treatment fertigation with 60 per cent of RDF (13.66 %). Therefore, fertigation with 80 per cent RDF was found to be optimum. The interaction effect of different drip irrigation and fertigation levels did not significantly influence the oleoresin content. The total amount of water applied at different levels of drip irrigation during 2017-18 and 2018-19 was maximum for drip irrigation at 1.1 ETc i.e 655 and 718 mm, respectively, followed by drip irrigation at 1.0 ETc i.e 596 and 653 mm, respectively and minimum in case of drip irrigation at 0.7 ETc i.e 417 and 457 mm, respectively. For different drip irrigation levels, the treatment drip irrigation level at 0.8 ETc recorded highest water use efficiency of 30.48 q ha-1 cm-1, whereas lowest water use efficiency of 21.68 q ha-1 cm-1 was noted under drip irrigation level at 1.1 ETc in pooled results. Thus, drip irrigation level at 0.8 of crop evapotranspiration was found to be superior among the tested treatments. In case of pooled results for different fertigation levels, treatment fertigation with 100 per cent RDF recorded the highest water use efficiency of 29.69 kg ha-1 cm-1 which was found at par with 80 per cent RDF (27.69 kg ha-1 cm-1). Whereas, lowest water use efficiency of 23.00 kg ha-1 cm-1 was noticed under treatment fertigation with 60 per cent RDF. Thus, fertigation with 80 per cent RDF was found to be optimum. The interaction effect on water use efficiency by different drip irrigation and fertigation levels was found non-significant. Water use efficiency increased with decrease in the depth of irrigation water applied. In order to have higher water use efficiency, drip irrigation should be scheduled at an alternate day with 0.8 ETc depth of irrigation. For better yields and high water use efficiency of chilli, application of drip irrigation at 0.8 ETc and fertigation with 80 % of RDF were found to be better. For fertilizer use efficiency non-significant differences were found, when crop received drip irrigation levels between 80 to 100 per cent of crop evapotranspiration. Whereas in different fertigation levels, treatment 60 per cent of RDF recorded highest fertilizer use efficiency of 41.05 kg kg-1 which was found statistically at par with 80 per cent RDF having 37.36 kg kg-1 in pooled results. Lowest fertilizer use efficiency of 32.35 kg kg-1 was recorded under treatment fertigation with 100 per cent RDF. The interaction effect on fertilizer use efficiency by different drip irrigation and fertigation levels did not differ significantly. Fertilizer use efficiency increased with decrease in quantity of fertilizer applied. In order to have higher feritlizer use efficiency, fetigation with 80 per cent of RDF was found to be optimum. Effect of different drip irrigation levels on uptake of nitrogen revealed that drip irrigation at 1.0 ETc recorded significantly higher uptake of nitrogen (40.95 Kg ha-1) as compared to other drip irrigation levels and was statistically at par with drip irrigation at 0.9 ETc (39.19 Kg ha-1) and drip irrigation at 0.8 ETc (37.93 Kg ha-1) in pooled results. Lowest values for uptake of nitrogen was recorded in treatment drip irrigation at 0.7 ETc (24.21 kg ha-1). Similar trend was observed for uptake of phosphorus and potassium. Regarding fertigation levels, fertigation with 100 per cent RDF registered significantly higher values for uptake of nitrogen (38.77 Kg ha-1) which was found at par with 80 per cent RDF (36.30 kg ha-1) in pooled results. Lowest values for uptake of nitrogen was recorded for treatment fertigation with 60 per cent RDF (30.50 Kg ha-1). Similar trend was observed for uptake of phosphorus and potassium. The interaction effect on uptake of N, P and K by different drip irrigation and fertigation levels was found non-significant. Economic analysis for chilli indicated that among drip irrigation levels, the B:C ratio for treatment drip irrigation at 1.0 ETc was recorded comparatively highest (3.52) over rest of the irrigation levels. It was followed by drip irrigation level at 0.9 ETc (3.44) and drip irrigation level at 0.8 ETc (3.40) in pooled results. Lowest B:C ratio was recorded for treatment drip irrigation at 0.7 ETc (2.92). Similar trend was observed for GMR and NMR. Thus drip irrigation level at 0.8 of crop evapotranspiration was found to be optimum. Whereas, in different fertigation levels, fertigation with 100 per cent of RDF recorded highest B:C ratio (3.49) followed by 80 per cent of RDF (3.40). Lowest B:C ratio was recorded for treatment fertigation with 60 per cent of RDF (3.03). Similar trend was observed for GMR and NMR. Thus, fertigation with 80 per cent of RDF was found optimum for GMR, NMR and B:C ratio. Results from this study provided a set of first estimates for the calibration of the AquaCrop model on chilli for agro-climatic conditions particularly in Jalna District and in general, for further testing and validation of the model at other agro-climatic conditions. AquaCrop model was calibrated by using field data of full irrigation (drip irrigation at 1.0 ETc) treatment with harvesting index of 75 per cent and water productivity 30 gm-2 as there was close match between observed and simulated canopy cover with high value statistical parameter of R2NS =0.97 and CRM = -0.051. It was also found that the canopy cover was overestimated by model particularly during 36 to 84 DAT i.e. during development stage. It was also seen from scatter plot that as the canopy cover values lies on both sides of 1:1 line, there was no consistent over or under estimation. AquaCrop model was validated for its performance under deficit and fully irrigated treatments. Validation results indicated that AquaCrop model predicted well, having only -2.54 per cent average variation between observed and simulated yield values with Nash Sutcliffe coefficient (R2NS) value 0.82. Coefficient of Residual Mass (CRM) value was found as -0.044, which indicated that model overestimates the yield, likewise during calibration.