Response of micro-irrigation systems on growth, yield and WUE of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) in semi-arid regions of India

Abstract

The effects of various micro-irrigation systems on some parameters of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L. cv. Bhagwa) i.e. physiological, yield, fruit qualities, root density, water use and water use efficiency parameters studied in the field experiments. Six types of micro-irrigation treatments with four replications were applied: 4-subsurface and 2-surface micro-irrigation were presented along with the 1-inline lateral at dripper spacing 30 cm, 2-inline laterals at drippers spacing 30 x 30 cm, 2-inline laterals at drippers spacing 40 x 40 cm; 2-inline laterals at drippers spacing 50 x 50 cm; 1-online lateral with 2-drippers (2D) and 2-online laterals with 4-drippers (4D), respectively. Maximum plant height, steam diameter, leaf area index, flowers, nutrient status and yield was recorded in subsurface drip irrigation system (SDI) with 2-inline laterals (30 x 30 cm) followed by (40 x 40 cm), (50 x 50 cm), surface drip irrigation (DI) with 2-laterals and 4drippers, 1-inline lateral at dripper spacing 30 cm and 1-online lateral with 2drippers. Soil moisture withholding was also higher in the SDI with double inline laterals (30 x 30 cm). The total average quantities of water used ranged from 2520.20 to 8340.60 Lbahar−1 t−1 and water use efficiency was found to be ranged from 1.98 to 4.01 kg m-3 in micro-irrigation systems. The biophysical advantages are low canopy humidity and fewer diseases and weeds. The results showed that 30 x 30 cm inline double lateral enhanced the flowering intensity, yield, root density and water use efficiency of pomegranate.