Abstract
Drip irrigation provides an efficient method of fertilizer delivery and allows precise timing and uniform distribution of applied nutrients. Fertilizer application through drip irrigation (fertigation) can reduce fertilizer usage and minimize groundwater pollution due to fertilizer leaching from excessive irrigation. For this purpose, field experiments were carried out in the farmers’ field at Thoppur, Dharmapuri District, Tamil Nadu, during 2010-2012 to study the effect of spacing and fertilizer levels on the flowering, pod yield and economic viability of Bhendi Hybrid (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) under drip fertigation system. The treatments consisted of two spacings (M1—60 × 45 cm and M2— 60 × 30 cm) and eight drip fertigation levels (S1—Drip fertigation with WSF at 125 per cent RDF + Azophosmet + Humic acid, S2—Drip fertigation with WSF at 100 per cent RDF + Azophosmet + Humic acid, S3—Drip fertigation with WSF at 75 per cent RDF + Azophosmet + Humic acid, S4—Drip fertigation with WSF at 100 per cent RDF, S5—Drip fertigation with SF at 125 per cent RDF + Azophosmet + Humic acid, S6—Drip fertigation with SF at 100 per cent RDF + Azophosmet + Humic acid, S7—Drip fertigation with SF at 75 per cent RDF + Azophosmet + Humic acid, S8—Drip fertigation with SF at 100 per cent RDF), and were replicated thrice in a split plot design. Results showed that the earliest flowering (26.21 days), 50% flowering (51.31), number of flowers per plant (25.33) and highest pod yield of 596.70 g/plant, 24.91 t/ha was registered in drip fertigation at 100 per cent recommended dose of fertilizers as water soluble fertilizer combination with Azophosmet and humic acid under wider spacing. The economics of the study clearly showed that drip fertigation at 100 per cent recommended dose of fertilizers as water soluble fertilizer along with Azophosmet and humic acid under wider spacing was found to record higher BCR of 2.99.
Highlights
IntroductionIn Bhendi, it is most desirable and essential to achieve the twin objective of maximum yield and the best quality simultaneously, and this could be achieved largely by providing the optimum plant population per unit area and balanced nutrition under field conditions, which could be provided by optimizing the spacing and fertilizer levels
Results showed that the earliest flowering (26.21 days), 50% flowering (51.31), number of flowers per plant (25.33) and highest pod yield of 596.70 g/plant, 24.91 t/ha was registered in drip fertigation at 100 per cent recommended dose of fertilizers as water soluble fertilizer combination with Azophosmet and humic acid under wider spacing
In Bhendi, it is most desirable and essential to achieve the twin objective of maximum yield and the best quality simultaneously, and this could be achieved largely by providing the optimum plant population per unit area and balanced nutrition under field conditions, which could be provided by optimizing the spacing and fertilizer levels
Summary
In Bhendi, it is most desirable and essential to achieve the twin objective of maximum yield and the best quality simultaneously, and this could be achieved largely by providing the optimum plant population per unit area and balanced nutrition under field conditions, which could be provided by optimizing the spacing and fertilizer levels. These two factors will enhance the productivity, and decide the ultimate commercial success of vegetable crops. The present investigation was under taken to assess the effect of of spacing and fertilizer levels on the flowering, productivity and economics of Bhendi Hybrid (COBhH1) under drip fertigation system
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