Estimation of seasonal evapotranspiration and crop coefficient of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under drip irrigation and N-fertigation scheduling at Jalgaon, Maharashtra

S H Malve S H Malve,V Praveen Rao V Praveen Rao,Anil Dhake Anil Dhake

doi:10.54386/jam.v19i4.605

Abstract

An attempt was made to determine the seasonal evapotranspiration and crop coefficient of wheat during various growth stages under drip irrigation and N-fertigation scheduling in Jalgaon, Maharashtra during 2012-13 and 2013-14. The results revealed that grain and straw yield of wheat increased significantly at each higher levels of drip irrigation up to 1.0 Epan and fertigation of 120 kg N ha-1 in both the years. The mean daily ETc of wheat during its initial stage was found to be lower and almost constant and it increased continuously during vegetative stage, flowering and grain filling stage (4.75 mm day-1) and decreased during the maturity stage. The measured seasonal ETc of wheat was ranged from 294.5 to 453.5 mm. The highest seasonal ETc and ETc was recorded in surface check basin irrigation at IW/ CPE 1 and lowest in deficit irrigation schedule i.e. drip irrigation at 0.6 Epan. Each higher level of nitrogen from N0 to N160 slightly increased the seasonal ETc of wheat. Estimated crop coefficient values (0.71, 1.31, 1.34 and 0.76 at initial, crop development, mid season and late season stage) at 1.0 Epan through drip were slightly higher over the FAO Kc values.

Highlights

Wheat is the one of the major food grain crop in India cultivated in an area of around 30.61 m ha with a production of 95.91 million tons
Average grain and straw yield was found to be higher (4761 and 5425 kg ha-1 respectively) when irrigation was scheduled by DI - 1.2 evaporation replenishment (Epan) but it was statistically at par with DI - 1.0 Epan and significantly superior to DI - 0.6 and 0.8 Epan on polled basis
The above trends in grain and straw yield registered under DI - 1.0 and 1.2 pan evaporation (Epan) in comparison to other treatments could be traced to the favourable soil water balance near to field capacity as observed by variation in soil moisture during the crop growing season

Summary

Introduction

Wheat is the one of the major food grain crop in India cultivated in an area of around 30.61 m ha with a production of 95.91 million tons. It is grown under different soil and climatic conditions. Crop co-efficient values for different crops grown under different climatic conditions as suggested by Doorenbos and Pruitt (1977) are used where locally measured data are not available. Allen et al (1998) have suggested that these values need to be derived empirically for each crop based on the local conditions to determine the water requirement. Mehta and Pandey (2015) developed crop coefficients for wheat and maize from ETc measurements and local weather data Crop co-efficient values for different crops grown under different climatic conditions as suggested by Doorenbos and Pruitt (1977) are used where locally measured data are not available. Allen et al (1998) have suggested that these values need to be derived empirically for each crop based on the local conditions to determine the water requirement. Mehta and Pandey (2015) developed crop coefficients for wheat and maize from ETc measurements and local weather data

Methods

Results

Conclusion