EFFECTOFDRIPIRRIGATIONLEVELS AND MULCHESONBROCCOLI(BrassicaoleraceaL. var. italica) YIELD IN MID HILL ZONE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
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Date
2024-01-04
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UHF Nauni
Abstract
The present study entitled “Effect of drip irrigation levels and mulches on Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) yield in mid hill zone of Himachal Pradesh” was conductedatresearchfarm,Department ofSoil Scienceand WaterManagement,Nauni -Solanduring 2022-2023. Theseventreatments were asfollows: 100%ETc + Grass mulch(I1M1),80%ETc + Grass mulch (I2M1), 60% ETc + Grass mulch (I3M1), 100% ETc + Pine needle mulch (I1M2), 80% ETc +Pine needlemulch(I2M2),60%ETc +Pineneedlemulch(I3M2) and Control - surfaceirrigationwith 4 cm at 10 days interval as practiced by farmers and no mulch (I0M0), with three replication in randomized block design having each plot size of 2.25 m×1.80 m and spacing 45 cm×45 cm. The treatmentI1M1recordedhighersoilmoisturecontentthanothertreatmentsat bothsoildepths (0-15cm and 15-30 cm). The average minimum and maximum soil temperatures were recorded highest in I3M1 and I0M0,respectively at both soil depths 5 cm and 10 cm. The maximum available N, P and K were foundinI2M1atbothsoildepths (0-15cm and 15-30cm). Thehighestbacterialcount, fungi countand actinomycetes count were recorded under I2M1 at both soil depths (0-15 cm and 15-30 cm). The maximum plant height (51.10 cm), yield (242 q ha-1), net returns (Rs 3.51 Lakh ha-1), B:C ratio (3.64), minimum days to marketable maturity (102.00) and high water use efficiency (20.46 q ha-1 cm-1) were obtained under I2M1. Hence, I2M1 (80% ETc + Grass mulch) is considered as most efficient and cost effective irrigation treatment among all treatments. The study has led to a conclusion that for maximizing growth and yield of broccoli in mid hill zone of Himachal Pradesh, irrigation schedule I2 (80% ETc) with M1(Grass mulch) i.e. I2M1 having 11.83 cm as crop water requirement through drip irrigation could be the best.