Assessing water use efficiency, nutrient use efficiency and yield of Bhendi with 19:19:19 water-soluble fertilizer under drip irrigation

Abstract

This study examines the effects of different fertilization treatments on the yield, water use efficiency (WUE) and nutrient use efficiency (NUE) of Bhendi. Field experiments were conducted at the Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai, during the Rabi season of December 2023 to March 2024 because Bhendi thrives in warm temperatures and requires precise water management. Drip irrigation provides optimal growth conditions even in the cooler Rabi weather while minimizing water waste, especially in areas with limited water availability. The treatments included soil-based fertilizers and water-soluble fertilizers (WSF), applied alone or in combination with recommended doses of fertilizer (RDF). Among the treatments, T8, which applied 120 kg/ha of TNAU water-soluble fertilizer 19:19:19 with an additional 25 % RDF proved to be the most effective. It achieved the highest yield, WUE and NUE, demonstrating superior crop productivity and resource efficiency. In contrast, the absolute control treatment (T1), which received no fertilizer, resulted in the lowest yield, highlighting the importance of fertilization in enhancing crop performance. Treatment T5, which used 120 kg/ha of WSF, also showed high yield and good WUE but did not match the efficiency levels of T8. The study concludes that integrating high doses of water-soluble fertilizers with additional RDF through drip fertigation is the most effective strategy for optimizing yield and resource efficiency in Bhendi cultivation.