Yield and water productivity of mustard under sprinkler and basin irrigation systems

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted during two consecutive years (2011-12 and 2012-13) to investigate the yield and water productivity (WP) of mustard (BARI Sarisha-14 variety) using sprinkler irrigation. There were six irrigation treatments (sprinkler irrigation at vegetative (T1), pre-flowering (T2) and pod formation (T3) stage, sprinkler irrigation at vegetative and pod formation stage (T4), sprinkler irrigation at pre-flowering and pod formation stage (T5); and basin irrigation at vegetative, pre-flowering, and pod formation stage (T6) (farmer’s practice). Results indicate that yield and yield components responded positively against different soil moisture regime. The significant highest yield (1.41 and 1.37 t/ha) was obtained by applying basin irrigation at three growth stages, with no statistical difference in yield (1.38 and 1.34 t/ha) with the application of sprinkler irrigation at vegetative and pod formation stages. Vegetative stage was the most critical stage to sprinkler irrigation and pod formation is the next most sensitive stage for mustard cultivation. Sprinkler irrigation can save more than 65 and 35 % of water with the yield reduction of 12.96 and 2.16%, respectively, in treatment T1 and T4 compared to treatment T6. These treatments (T1 and T4) also gave higher water productivity, irrigation water productivity, and net revenue than treatment T6. The results will be helpful for policy planning regarding efficient irrigation and water management under water scarce situation.Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 28(2): 137-149, Dec-2015