Effect of various irrigation practices on yield of bhendi (<i>Abeslmoschus esculentus</i> L.) cv arka anamika

Abstract

A Bhendi ( Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is one of the most familiar vegetables in India which is grown extensively throughout the year. Bhendi (okra) is considered to be cheap and nutritious vegetable for the common man of India. A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural college and research institute, Madurai to study the effect of various methods of irrigation practices on the growth and yield of Bhendi . The treatment consists of surface irrigation, subsurface irrigation, drip irrigation and micro sprinkler irrigation. For surface irrigation, fertilizers were applied at three equal splits as basal, 20 and 40 DAS with the entire P as basal and N and K in three equal splits. For pressurized irrigation, 50 per cent of P and K are given as basal soil based fertilizer and the balance P and K were given through water soluble fertilizers. The balance N was supplied as urea through fertigation. The fertigation were given from 9 DAS to 90 DAS at weekly intervals. The subsurface irrigation recorded the highest values for growth as well as yield parameters and yield. Besides, the water use efficiency of subsurface irrigation was high compared to the rest of the irrigation methods. Hence, the subsurface method of irrigation may be recommended as a viable irrigation practice for Bhendi as compared to all other irrigation methods.