Effect of Basin Versus Drip Irrigation on Quality Production in Mosambi Sweet Orange

Abstract

An investigation was undertaken to find out the effect of basin and drip irrigation on growth, production, fruit quality, foliar N, P, K values and soil moisture status in Mosambi sweet orange grown in laterite soil. Treatments included drip irrigation at 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 Epan with and without black polythene mulching, basin irrigation @ 30 liter/plant at 18 days interval + black polythene mulching and control (No watering + black polythene mulching). The plants receiving irrigation at 0.8 Epan + polythene mulching resulted 136 fruits per plant with superior in fruit quality in terms of highest TSS (11.2°B), sugar (8.5%) and vitamin C (47.8 mg/100ml) content. Maximum fruit weight of 166 g and diameter of 7.0 cm were recorded in the fruits of the plants which received irrigation at 1.0 Epan + polythene mulching. Foliar nitrogen content was highest (2.65%) in plants with drip irrigation at 0.8 Epan + polythene mulching while phosphorus and potassium content were non-significant among the treatments. Irrigation (drip or basin) of the plants during dry months resulted lower shoot drying as compared to no irrigation.