Effect of water retainer and irrigation levels on growth, yield and water use efficiency of broccoli
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Date
2021-09
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G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand)
Abstract
The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the effect of water retainer and irrigation levels on growth, yield and water use efficiency of broccoli at Vegetable Research Centre of G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar (Uttarakhand) during rabi season in year 2019-20. Water Retainer is a water soluble liquid, which is sprayed on the surface of soil after mixing it with water, it conserves and increases soil moisture by preventing evaporation of water from the soil surface and improves water holding capacity of a soil. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design consisting of twelve treatments replicated thrice, including three doses of water retainer i.e., 1 ml, 2 ml and 3 ml per m2 applied under three irrigations levels viz. irrigation at 100, 75 and 50 percent of crop water requirement were tested along with three controls i.e., irrigation at 100, 75 and 50 percent of crop requirement. The findings of present study revealed that performance of broccoli was significantly influenced by different doses of water retainer and irrigation levels. For plant growth characters, 100 percent irrigation level with 3 ml/m2 of water retainer was best with respect to plant height, stalk length and fresh and dry weight. Maturity parameters was best in case of 75 percent irrigation with 3 ml/m2 water retainer whereas, irrigation with 50 percent of crop need along with 3 ml/m2 of water retainer was best in terms of water use efficiency (176.26 kg ha-1 mm-1). Water retainer dose of 3 ml/m2 and 100 percent irrigation was found superior in terms of getting maximum yield of 145.17 q/ha. Based on the overall performance, it could be concluded that, incorporation of water retainer at the rate of 1 ml/m2 with irrigation at 75 percent of crop requirement was observed better with respect to water use efficiency (127.81 kg ha-1 mm-1), yield (139.23 q/ha) and benefit cost ratio (3.27). Hence, recommended for commercial cultivation at farmers’ fields under water stress or rainfed situation.