Abstract
The efficient use of water by modern irrigation systems is becoming increasingly important in arid and semi-arid regions with limited water resources. Field experiments were conducted during 2008-2010 to study the effect of drip fertigation with water soluble fertilizer on root growth of maize under maize based intercropping system. The experiment was laid out in strip plot design with three replications. The treatment consists of nine fertigation levels in main plots and four inter crops in sub plots. Root spread and root dry mass were increased under drip fertigation practices while rooting depth was more under surface irrigation. Drip fertigation with water soluble fertilizer improved the root system by inducing new secondary roots which are succulent and actively involved in physiological responses. Drip fertigation has pronounced effect on the root architecture especially in the production of highly fibrous root system.
Highlights
The sustainability of any production system requires optimum utilization of resources be it water, fertilizer or soil
Root spread and root dry mass were increased under drip fertigation practices while rooting depth was more under surface irrigation
Nutrients are applied through emitters directly into the zone of maximum root activity and fertilizer-use efficiency can be improved over conventional method of fertilizer application
Summary
The sustainability of any production system requires optimum utilization of resources be it water, fertilizer or soil. Because of its highly localized application and the flexibility in scheduling water and chemical applications, drip irrigation has gained widespread popularity as an efficient and economically viable method for fertigation. Drip irrigation with fertigation offers a vast potential for optimum utilization of water and fertilizers [1,2]. Fertilizers applied under traditional methods are generally not utilized efficiently by the crop. Nutrients are applied through emitters directly into the zone of maximum root activity and fertilizer-use efficiency can be improved over conventional method of fertilizer application. Crop response to fertilizer application through drip irrigation has been excellent and frequent nutrient applications have improved the fertilizer-use efficiency [4]. The crop response to fertilizer applications is expected to vary markedly with the type of fertilizer used
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