Performance evaluation of drip irrigation (fertigation) in citrus cultivation: A review

Abstract

Efficient use of water and nutrients is required to accomplished sustainable production. The efficient utilization of these inputs need an integrated approach to promote the techniques of nutrients and water management among farmer to achieve the quality and quantity production. This study aims at reviewing the effect of drip irrigation and fertigation in citrus. Water scarcity is one of major problem of citrus cultivation in India. Among the different methods of irrigation, drip irrigation is most efficient form of application of irrigation to the crops which supplies water at optimum time to root zone and increases the growth, yield and quality of crop. Drip irrigation helped the cultivation of plants more profitable than compared to normal traditional watering of plants and increase the water use efficiency (WUE) in agriculture. As the citrus is more water loving crop, installation of drip would be more helpful in a increasing yield as well as gaining fruitful income. Drip irrigation can also be used for the fertigation and increases the nutrient use efficiency (NUE). However, it also delivers many other economic and social benefits to the society. In this article, intensive research works regarding water and nutrient management for citrus has been reviewed and discussed so that a definite perception may be generated for the farmers as well as future researchers.