Impact of drip irrigation and N-fertigation scheduling on wheat (Triticum aestivum) under semi-arid tropical environment

Abstract

The efficient use of water by modern irrigation systems is becoming increasingly important in arid and semi-arid regions with limited water resources. A field experiment was conducted at Jain Hi-Tech. Agri. Institute, Jalgaon, Maharashtra during rabi season of 2012-13 and 2013-14, to study the impact of drip irrigation and N-fertigation scheduling on growth and yield of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The results revealed that all growth traits, yield components, grain and straw yield of wheat increased significantly at each higher levels of drip irrigation up to DI - 1.0 Epan with water application of 511 and 446 mm and fertigation of 120 kg N/ha in both the years. The highest water productivity was recorded with 0.8 Epan and N160 in both the years of study. The predicted maximum grain yield was 4838 kg/ha in the 2012-13 with an input level of 171.1 kg N/ha, 4451 kg/ha in the 2013-14 with an input level of 154.7 kg N/ha and 4642 kg/ha on pooled basis with an input level of 162.6 kg N/ha, respectively beyond which the yield decrease. However, the maximum grain yield (Ymax) in 2012-13 and on pooled basis was not bracketed within the tested range of nitrogen levels (0 to 160 kg/ha). The economic optima of N level that will maximize the net return under prevailing prices considered above worked out to be 156.8 kg N/ha with the resultant grain yield of 4640 kg/ha.