Effect of irrigation schedule on growth and seed yield of camelina (Camelina sativa L.) in Tarai region of central Himalaya

Abstract

Camelina (Camelina sativa) has emerged as a potential biofuel crop globally with its suitability even as a jet fuel source with 75–80% less greenhouse gas emissions compared to common petroleum fuels. The crop has originated from Mediterranean region and belongs to Brassicaceae family. DIBER, DRDO has made initial and pioneer efforts in successful introduction of this crop to India and its agro-technology standardization. Being a short duration crop with lesser input requirement, it fits well in the cropping pattern of hilly states of Indian Himalaya. These areas experience fallow land due to shortage of irrigation water for growing other crops. The present study revealed that irrigation at flowering stage is more beneficial. Irrigation at this stage (if only one irrigation is available) exhibited grain yield of 1.004 ​kg∙m-2 which was 21 and 80% higher over pod setting and rosette stage irrigation, respectively. The maximum seed yield was observed under treatment where irrigation was provided at all three crop growth stages (2.044 ​kg∙m-2). It was 50% higher over T6 treatment (where two irrigations were given at rosette and flowering stage) and 104% higher over T3 (where only one irrigation was given at flowering stage).