Effect Of Irrigation Levels Research Articles

Effect of irrigation levels on the production of Arachis hypogeaea L.

Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) are a high-protein alternative for making up for nutritional deficiencies. Adequate irrigation management is essential for greater productivity of this crop, especially in Brazilian Cerrado. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the productive characteristics of peanuts subjected to different irrigation levels under controlled conditions. The research was conducted in the Savannah region at the Federal University of Rondonópolis, in Rondonópolis - Mato Grosso, Brazil. The soil used to grow the peanuts was Oxisol. The experimental design was completely randomized with five treatments (50%, 75%, 100%, 125%, and submerging at 150% of field capacity) and five replications. The analyzed variables included the number of pods, number of grains per pod, pod dry mass, and dry mass of grains. The number of pods and the number of grains per pot fitted the increasing linear model as a function of different levels of field capacity. On the other hand, the pod dry mass and dry mass of grains per pod showed a quadratic regression behavior. Different levels of field capacity had a significant impact on peanut productivity. The treatment with 100% of field capacity yielded the best results in terms of peanut productivity and grain quality.

Effect of irrigation levels on the physiological responses of petunia cultivars for selection

The selection of drought-tolerant varieties is essential to address the anticipated water stress in plants. This study assessed the drought tolerance of two petunia cultivars (Petunia Grandiflora and Falcon F1 (white). A pot experiment was conducted with the four irrigation levels, which included the irrigation interval of one day (control, T0), three days (T1), five days (T2), and seven days (T3). Under T1, the Grandiflora cultivar produced the tallest plants (43.0 cm). The plant height gradually decreased as the irrigation interval grew longer. Overall, the size of the Grandiflora was observed to be higher than the Falcon F1 cultivar. The Grandiflora cultivar produced the longest roots (6.2 cm) in T0, followed by the Falcon, which had roots with a length of 5.6 cm. The root length of Grandiflora was found to be 5.5 cm and 5.0 cm in T1 and T2, while Falcon F1 produced 5.2 and 4.6 cm roots, respectively. Petunia Grandiflora surpassed Falcon F1 (white) regarding root dry weight for all treatments. In addition, when water was provided after a 3-day gap (T1), the Petunia Grandiflora cultivar produced the highest root-shoot ratio (3.52) using fresh weight. Petunia Grandiflora had the highest chlorophyll concentration of 2.68 mg g−1, followed by the Falcon F1 (white) cultivar in T1. The Grandiflora produced the highest total chlorophyll levels (4.04 mg g−1) when water was added after a one-day break, followed by Falcon F1 (white), which had total chlorophyll values of 3.42 mg g−1 under control compared to other irrigation treatments. Hence, Grandiflora performed the best; therefore, this study will help the cultivators adapt to drought environments using drought-resistant cultivars. Due to this fact, most people buy these flowers as seedlings rather than starting them from seeds, and this research is significant for flower nurseries.

Photosynthesis Product Allocation and Yield in Sweet Potato in Response to Different Late-Season Irrigation Levels.

Soil water deficit is an important factor affecting the source-sink balance of sweet potato during its late-season growth, but water regulation during this period has not been well studied. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the appropriate irrigation level in late-season sweet potato, and the effect of irrigation level on accumulation and allocation of photosynthetic products. In this study, two yield-based field trials (2021-2022) were conducted in which five late-season irrigation levels set according to the crop evapotranspiration rate were tested (T0: non-irrigation, T1: 33% ETc, T2: 75% ETc, T3: 100% ETc, T4: 125% ETc). The effects of the different irrigation levels on photosynthetic physiological indexes, 13C transfer allocation, water use efficiency (WUE), water productivity (WP), and the yield and economic benefit of sweet potato were studied. The results showed that late-season irrigation significantly increased the total chlorophyll content and net photosynthetic rate of functional leaves, in addition to promoting the accumulation of above-ground-source organic biomass (p < 0.05). The rate of 13C allocation, maximum accumulation rate (Vmax), and average accumulation rate (Vmean) of dry matter in storage root were significantly higher under T2 irrigation than under the other treatments (p < 0.05). This suggests that both non-irrigation (T0) and over-irrigation (T4) were not conducive to the transfer and allocation of photosynthetic products to storage roots in late-season sweet potato. However, moderate irrigation (T2) effectively promoted the source-sink balance, enhanced the source photosynthetic rate and stimulated the sink activity, such that more photosynthate was allocated to the storage sink. The results also showed that T2 irrigation treatments significantly increased yield, WUE and WP compared to T0 and T4 (p < 0.05), suggesting that moderate irrigation (T2) can significantly promote the potential of storage root production and field productivity. There was a close relationship between economic benefit and marketable sweet potato yield, and both were highest under T2 (p < 0.05), increasing by 36.1% and 59.9% compared with T0 over the two-year study period. In conclusion, irrigation of late-season sweet potato with 75% evapotranspiration (T2) can improve both the yield and production potential. Together, these results support the use of late-season water management in the production of sweet potato.

Effect of Irrigation levels, Mulching and Kaolin on Yield and Fruit Quality of Washington Navel Orange Trees Grown in Clay Soil

Effect of Irrigation levels, Mulching and Kaolin on Yield and Fruit Quality of Washington Navel Orange Trees Grown in Clay Soil

Effect of Irrigation Level and Nitrogen Levels on Economics, Quality and Water Productivity of Garden Cress (Lepidium sativum L.)

A field experiment was conducted at krishi vigyan kendra, Sawaimadhopur, Rajasthan in two consecutive years of 2018-19 and 2019-20 on “Effect of irrigation level and nitrogen levels on economics, quality and water productivity of chandrasur (L. sativum)”. The highest economics net return was found with three irrigations [25, 50 &amp; 75 days after sowing (DAS)] I3 (57517 Rs ha-1) which was at par with I2 with two irrigations (25 &amp; 50 DAS) in the pooled data of both years. Highest benefit-cost (B/C) ratio was also found under three irrigations (25, 50 &amp; 75 DAS) I3 (2.60) which was at par with (I2) two irrigations (25 &amp; 50 DAS) in the pooled data of both years. Highest net return and B/C ratio was found with application of 80 Kg N ha-1 (57628 Rs ha-1) and (2.65) which was at par with 60 Kg N ha-1. In terms of oil yield Kg ha-1 highest oil yield was found with (I2) two irrigations (25 &amp; 50 DAS) and 60 Kg N ha-1. Water productivity (kg m-3) was found lowest in the treatment (25, 50 &amp; 75DAS) (I3) and 80 Kg N ha-1 which was at par with (I2) two irrigations (25 &amp; 50 DAS) and 60 Kg N ha-1 .

Effect of Irrigation Level and Sowing Date on Yield of Field Bean in Saline Soils of Konkan Region of Maharashtra

A field experiment was conducted during consecutive Rabi seasons of 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 in coastal saline soils at Khar Land Research Station, Panvel, Maharashtra, India to study the effect of different sowing dates and irrigation levels on the production potential of field bean. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design (FRBD) with four replications, comprising three dates of sowing viz., immediately after harvest of paddy (D1), 10 days after harvest of paddy (D2), and 20 days after harvest of paddy (D3); and three irrigation levels viz., no irrigation (I0), one irrigation at flowering (I1), and one irrigation each at flowering and at pod formation (I2). The results showed that the treatment D1 recorded significantly higher seed yield of field bean (915 kg.ha-1) over D2 (713 kg.ha-1) and D3 (605 kg.ha-1). Among the irrigation levels, treatment I1 resulted in significantly higher seed yield of field bean (856 kg.ha-1) over I2 (726 kg.ha-1) and I0 (650 kg.ha-1). The treatment combination I1D1 produced significantly higher seed yield of field bean (1065 kg.ha-1) with higher net realization (1,06,500 ₹.ha-1), net income (55,222 ₹.ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (2.08). Both sowing date and irrigation level played important role in management of root zone soil moisture and soil salinity which influenced the seed yield. Sowing of field bean immediately after the harvest of paddy and providing one irrigation at the time of flowering is recommended to obtain better yield and returns from the field beans cultivated in Konkan region of Maharashtra.

Effects of irrigation level and method on soil salt balance and crop water use efficiency in arid oasis regions

Effects of irrigation level and method on soil salt balance and crop water use efficiency in arid oasis regions

Effect of Irrigation Levels, Nipping and Foliar Spray of Nutrients with Growth Regulators on Yield, Yield Parameter and Economics of Transplanted Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (l.) Millsp.)

Background: Agronomic practices like supplemental irrigation, nipping, foliar nutrition of macro and micro nutrients and growth regulators are important for realizing the maximum yield potential in transplanted Pigeonpea. Hence the present study was carried out in combination with agronomic production management practices via supplemental irrigation, nipping, and foliar nutrition of macro and micronutrients, growth regulators on transplanted pigeonpea.&#x0D; Methods: The experiment was carried out using a split plot design with sixteen treatment combinations with three replications during Kharif 2016-17 and 2017-18. The experiment included two degrees of irrigation as the primary factor, eight management techniques, fertilizer nipping and foliar spray, as well as a growth regulator as sub factor.&#x0D; Results: The findings showed that among the different irrigation levels, irrigation each at pre-flowering and pod filling stage recorded significantly higher seed yield and yield parameter viz., number of pods and seed yield per plant at harvest. Among the management practices, nipping +1% pulse magic +1 % 19:19:19 NPK Spray at flowering and 15 days after first flowering recorded significantly higher yield and yield parameter and also higher returns.

Effects of four irrigation regimes on yield, fruit quality, plant water status, and water productivity in a furrow-irrigated red raspberry orchard

Due to drought intensification in Mediterranean-type climates, raspberry growers need to implement irrigation scheduling to save water without decreases in yield and fruit quality. A study was performed to evaluate the effects of four irrigation levels on yield (Y), fruit number (FM2), fruit weight (FW), water productivity (WP), fruit quality (titratable acidity (TA), soluble solids (SS), weight to volume ratio (WV)), midday stem water potential (Ψstem), and water stress integral (WSI) in a furrow-irrigated red raspberry (Rubus ideaus L. ‘Heritage’) orchard. An experimental plot was established within a commercial raspberry orchard located in the Colbún valley, Maule Region, Chile, during the 2012/13 and 2013/14 growing seasons. The irrigation treatments were 125 (T1, farmer irrigation management), 100 (T2), 75 (T3) and 50% (T4) of crop evapotranspiration (ETc). The results showed significant differences among treatments for Y and FM2, with the highest and lowest values observed under the T3 and T1 treatments, respectively. The T4 treatment had the highest values of WSI and WP compared to the other treatments. The effects of irrigation levels were not significant for SS and WV, but the lowest TA was observed under the T1 treatment. Results suggested that water application based on the 75% of ETc associated with Ψstem > −1.0 MPa was the most appropriate irrigation strategy for the furrow-irrigated red raspberry orchard because it had the highest Y (9.25 kg m−2) and saved water by 20–28% compared to the 125% and 100% ETc treatments.

Optimizing Shade Cultivation Method and Irrigation Amount to Improve Photosynthetic Characteristics, Bean Yield, and Quality of Coffee in a Subtropical Monsoon Climate.

Reasonable water and light management technology can improve economic benefits, coffee yield, and quality. We used cluster analysis and principal component analysis to evaluate and optimize the water and light management technology with high coffee yield, quality, and economic benefits in a subtropical monsoon climate region of China. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with two factors (3 irrigation levels × 4 shade cultivation treatments) replicated four times during 2016–2017. The irrigation levels consisted of full irrigation (FI) and two deficit irrigations (DIL: 75% FI, DIS: 50% FI). The shade cultivation treatments consisted of no shade cultivation (S0) and three shade cultivation modes (SL: intercropping with four lines of coffee and one line of banana; SM: intercropping with three lines of coffee and one line of banana; SS: intercropping with two lines of coffee and one line of banana). The results showed that the effects of irrigation level and shade cultivation mode on growth, crop yield, most of the photosynthetic characteristics, and nutritional quality were significant (p < 0.05). Regression analysis showed that the leaf radiation use efficiency (RUE) showed a significant negative exponential relation or logistic-curve variation with photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). The bean yield increased with an increase of the shade degree when water was seriously deficient, whereas it first increased and then decreased with an increase of the shade degree under FI and DIL. Based on both cluster analysis and principal component analysis, the FISS treatment resulted in the highest comprehensive quality of coffee, followed by the FISM treatment; the DISS0 treatment obtained the lowest quality. Compared with the FIS0 treatment, the FISM treatment increased the 2-year average bean yield and net income by 15.0 and 28.5%, respectively, whereas the FISS treatment decreased these by 17.8 and 8.7%, respectively. To summarize, FISS treatment significantly improved the nutritional quality of coffee, and FISM treatment significantly increased the dry bean yield and economic benefits of coffee. The results of the study could provide a theoretical basis for water-saving irrigation and shade cultivation management of coffee in a subtropical monsoon climate region of China.

Irrigation Levels and Fertilization Rates as Pre-Harvest Factors Affecting the Growth and Quality of Hippeastrum

Growing Hippeastrum in an open field or a greenhouse requires precision irrigation and fertilizer to promote plant growth and development. Therefore, this research aimed to study the effect of irrigation level combined with fertilization rate on the growth and development of Hippeastrum. Two experiments were carried out to determine the influence of irrigation and fertilizer on the growth, flowering, and bulb quality of Hippeastrum. In the first experiment, bulbs of Hippeastrum ‘Red Lion’ with circumferences of 25 cm were grown in plastic plots using mixed soil as growing media under a 50% shading net. Plants were irrigated daily until drainage and water contained in macropores by gravity action (Field capacity: FC) for 90 days after planting (DAP) and supplied with three different 15N-15P2O5-15K2O fertilization rates, i.e., 0, 2.5, and 5 g per pot. Plant growth and water use efficiency were measured at 45, 60, and 90 DAP. The results showed that plants supplied with 0 g of fertilizer had the lowest plant height and number of leaves per plant at 90 DAP, whereas there was no significant effect of fertilizer rate treatments on flower quality. The water use efficiency, evapotranspiration rate (ET), crop evapotranspiration under standard condition (ETc), crop coefficient (Kc), photosynthetic rate, and stomatal conductance were decreased when plants were supplied with fertilizer at a rate of 0 g per pot at 90 DAP. In the second experiment, plants were irrigated with four levels, i.e., 100, 75, 50, and 25% ETc combined with three fertilization rates, i.e., 0, 2.5, and 5 g per pot. At 180 DAP, the results showed that water deficit treatment (50 and 25% ETc) decreased plant growth and bulb quality. Irrigation with 100% ETc combined with 2.5 or 5 g per pot and irrigation with 75% ETc combined with 5 g per pot were the optimum levels to promote plant growth and bulb quality in Hippeastrum.

Effects of irrigation levels on growth and chemical constituents in Curcuma alismatifolia

ISHS IX International Scientific and Practical Conference on Biotechnology as an Instrument for Plant Biodiversity Conservation (physiological, biochemical, embryological, genetic and legal aspects) Effects of irrigation levels on growth and chemical constituents in Curcuma alismatifolia

Effect of irrigation level and weed management practices on wheat growth, yield and economics

An experiment was conducted at Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University (SDAU), Sardarkrushinagar, Gujarat during two consecutive winter (Rabi) seasons of the years 2014-15 and 2015-16. The experiment consisted of twenty-one treatments with three levels of irrigation (0.6, 0.8, 1.0 IW:CPE ratio) as main plot treatments and seven weed management practices as sub-plot treatments. A split-plot design with three replications was used. The crop irrigated at 1.0 IW: CPE recorded significantly higher growth parameters, yield attributes, grain and straw yield. Among weed management practices, hand weeding twice and metsulfuron-methyl 4 g/ha at 28 DAS recorded significantly higher yield attributes, grain and straw yield. Interaction between irrigation levels and weed control practices revealed that wheat irrigated at 1.0 IW: CPE in combinations with two hands weeding or metsulfuron-methyl 4 g/ha and clodinafop + metsulfuron-methyl (ready-mix) 60 g/ha produced significantly higher grain yield than other treatments. The economic analysis revealed that irrigation at 1.0 IW:CPE ratio recorded significantly higher net returns of ₹ 66188/ha and B:C 2.11. Among weed management treatment, metsulfuron-methyl 4 g/ha) PoE attained maximum net income of ₹ 34036/ha with B: C 2.16 and next best was clodinafop + metsulfuron-methyl (ready-mix) 60 g/ha which fetched next highest net income (₹ 30843/ha) and B:C (2.01).

Effect of irrigation levels and foliar application of fertilizers on some agronomic and oil characteristics of castor bean (Ricinus communis L.)

To study the effect of irrigation levels and foliar application of fertilizers on some agronomic and oil characteristics of castor bean, an experiment was conducted at the East Azarbaijan Agricultural Research and Education Center, Tabriz, Iran in 2017-2019 cropping seasons. The experiment was laid out as a split-plot design based on a completely randomized block design with three replications. In the present study, main cluster length, number of branches, number of capsules per plant, number of seeds per capsule, 100-grain weight biological yield, grain yield, oil percent and oil yield were measured. Irrigation intervals (normal irrigation (irrigation after 60 mm), irrigation after 80 mm and 140 mm of evaporation) was established as main plots and the foliar applications of fertilizers (N, K, S, N + K, and N + S, K + S, N + K + S and control) input as sub-plots. The results showed that, except for the oil percentage, all the examined traits were decreased by water limitation. The highest values of the traits, other than the 100-grain weight, were obtained for foliar application of N + K + S. This treatment improved the grain yield per unit area under normal irrigation and moderate irrigation and severe stresses by 62.76%, 41.46% and 28.98% respectively. Thus, the foliar application of S (2000 ppm) + N (3000 ppm) + K (3000 ppm) fertilizer is the best treatment for mitigating some harmful effects of water deficit on castor bean.

Effects of Irrigation Levels on the Yield of Chickpea (Cicer Arietinum Linn) Due to Incidence of Helicoverpa Armigera

Effects of four different irrigation levels viz., One irrigation at 50 per cent flowering stage, one irrigation at grain filling/pod initiation stage, two irrigations (one at 50 per cent flowering + one at grain filling stage), control (without irrigation) on the incidence of gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) on chickpea were studied during Rabi, 2014-15 and 2015-16 at Research Farm, College of Agriculture, Bikaner (Rajasthan), India. Results revealed that the highest mean larval population (3.12 larvae per 5 plants) and maximum pod damage (33.24%) were recorded in the crop which was irrigated twice viz., one at 50 per cent flowering stage and second at grain filling stage. The lowest larval population (2.03 larvae per 5 plants) with minimum pod damage (8.34%) was recorded in the crop where irrigation was not given. The maximum seed yield (11.05 q/ha) was obtained from the crop which was irrigated two times and minimum seed yield (7.56 q/ha) was obtained in control. Bangladesh J. Bot. 50(4): 1203-1207, 2021 (December)

Biofertilizer Application Enhances Drought Stress Tolerance and Alters the Antioxidant Enzymes in Medicinal Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo convar. pepo var. Styriaca)

The effects of mycorrhiza, Thiobacillus and Nitroxin (Azotobacter and Azospirillum sp.) biofertilizers under drought stress conditions with four levels of field capacity (FC) (control(100%), 85%, 70%, and 50%) on the antioxidant enzyme activities of medicinal pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo convar. pepo var. Styriaca) were evaluated during the years 2018–2019. Irrigation levels exhibited significant effects on all studied variables, except for the catalase (CAT) enzyme. A significant correlation was observed between the effects of irrigation levels and biofertilizers on antioxidant enzymes, soluble protein content, and grain yield. The highest activity of catalase and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) enzymes was achieved using mycorrhiza in 50% FC. Increasing drought intensity and mycorrhiza stimulated glutathione reductase (GR) and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) activities by 32% and 66%, while Nitroxin increased them by 16% and 43%, respectively. Under severe drought stress conditions, only mycorrhiza exhibited a positive effect on GR and GPX enzymes. Under moderate and severe drought stress conditions, Nitroxin increased grain yield by 13% and 12.6%, respectively. The irrigation regimes and bio-fertilizers had a significant effect on β-sitosterol percentage. The highest amount was observed at the highest level of drought stress. Among the various bio-fertilizers treatments, the application of Thiobacillus yielded the highest percentage of β-sitosterol. The results of the present study demonstrate that the application of biofertilizers is beneficial in coping with drought stress.

Effect of Four Irrigation Regimes and Different Fertilizers on Vegetative Growth and Fruit Parameters of Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of four levels of irrigation water and three kinds of fertilizer on components of field-grown eggplant (Solanum melongena) in the years 2017 and 2018. Treatments included four irrigation regimes, which were 100% (I100, control), 80% (I80), 60% (I60), and 40% (I40) of evaporation from Class A pan and three different fertilizers, which were chemical fertilizer (CHF) with 40 kg da-1, organic fertilizer (OF) and developed organic fertilizer (DOF) with 2000 kg da-1. The experiment was designed with a split-plot randomized block with 3 replications. In experimental years, all irrigation treatments were irrigated 12 and 13 times, respectively with a drip irrigation system. Irrigation water amounts applied at I40, I60, I80, I100 in 2017 as 122, 183, 244, 305 mm and in 2018 were 147, 218, 289, 360 mm respectively. Seasonal plant water consumption values are in 2017, 2018 years respectively as follow: I40; 265 mm, 277 mm I60; 326 mm, 342 mm, I80; 386 mm; 382 mm, I100; 447 mm, 423 mm. In both experiment years, the effect of irrigation levels on plant components was statistically significant, the highest value of each component in both seasons was at I100 treatment, it was determined respectively as follow: Plant height PH (67.3 to 89.8 cm), branches number per plant BN (5.1 and 7.0), fruit number per plant FN (5.3 and 7.0), fruit weight FW (190.33 and 198.22 g).

Yield and Water Use of Eggplants (Solanum melongena L.) Under Different Irrigation Regimes and Fertilizers

This study was conducted ın Bandırma (Balıkesir, Turkey) during the growing season of the plant in 2017 and 2018 to determine the effect of four levels of irrigation water and three kinds of fertilizer on yield and water use of field-grown eggplant (solanum melongena). Treatments included four irrigation regimes, which were 100% (I100, control), 80% (I80), 60% (I60), and 40% (I40) of evaporation from Class A Pan and three different fertilizers, which were chemical fertilizer CHF; N, P, K (20-20-20+15 SO3) added as 40 kg da-1 organic fertilizer (OF) added as 2000 kg da-1 and developed organic fertilizer (DOF) added as 2000 kg da-1. Total irrigation water of 305 mm and 360 mm were applied to I100 irrigation treatment, in which water use was determined as 447 mm and 436 mm, respectively. In both experiment years, the effect of irrigation level on fruit yield was found to be significant statistically (p&amp;lt;0.05) but the effect of fertilizers treatments and irrigation x fertilizer interaction was insignificant (p&amp;gt;0.05). The highest yield with 3681and 4515 kg da-1 was harvested from I100 irrigation treatment, and the lowest yield with 3021 and 2792 kg da-1 from I40 irrigation treatment, respectively. As for fertilizer, the highest yield with 3462 and 3878 kg da-1 was harvested from DOF, while the lowest yield with 3258 and 3629 kg da-1 from OF, respectively. Water use efficiency (WUE) ranged from 8.26 to 12.54 kg mm-1 and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) from 11.9 to 25.68 kg mm-1 in the experimental years. Thus, in irrigation programming, the Kcp3: 0.80 plant-pan coefficient and in fertilizer application, DOF is recommended for field-grown eggplant.

Effect of Irrigation Levels and Plant Growth Regulators on Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under Poly House

An experiment was conducted during the winter season of 2017-18 at College of agriculture, Bikaner to study the effect of irrigation levels and plant growth regulators on Cucumber under naturally ventilated Poly house condition. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. The treatments comprised of four drip irrigation levels (0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 ETc or crop evapotranspiration) assigned to main plots and three plant growth regulators viz; water spray, NAA or Naphthalene Acetic acid (100 ppm) and GA3 (50 ppm) assigned to sub plots. The objectives of this study were to find out the effects of irrigation levels as well as plant growth regulators on yield attributes of cucumber and their interactions. Results indicated that earliness i.e. days to first flowering (35.40) and first harvest (52.00) were recorded maximum with 1.0 ETc as compared to other irrigation levels. The same treatment (1.0 ETc) significantly gave maximum fruit length (21.07 cm), number of fruits per vine (12.02), fruit weight (103.29 g), fruit yield (728.76 q ha-1) and net returns (765035.9 ha-1) with B:C ratio (2.46). However, water use efficiency (3.61 q ha-1 cm-1) was found maximum with 0.4 ETc. Among various plant growth regulators GA3 (50 ppm) recorded significantly higher yield attributes namely fruit length (21.63 cm), number of fruits per vine (12.34), fruit weight (99.48 g) and fruit yield (729.23 q ha-1). Water use efficiency, net returns and B:C ratio also exhibited higher values (2.57 q ha-1 cm-1, 765307.7ha-1 and 2.46, respectively) with same treatment. Similarly, earliness i.e. days to first flowering (34.19) and days to first harvest (50.70) were recorded with GA3. The treatment combination 0.8 ETc + GA3 (50 ppm) gave maximum value for fruit yield (793.93 q ha-1) per hectare.

Economic assessment of maize (Zea mays L.) – Spinach (Basella alba L.) intercropping system for improving the livelihood of smallholders’ in South-Asia

Economic assessment of maize (Zea mays L.) – Spinach (Basella alba L.) intercropping system for improving the livelihood of smallholders’ in South-Asia