Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
annuum
L.) is an important spice cum vegetable crop cultivated extensively in India.
India contributes one fourth of world's production of chili with an average annual
production of 1,289,000 tons in an area of 759,000 ha [2]. Considering all these fac-
tors, present experiment was conducted to fi nd out minimum use of water, optimum
spacing and use of nutrients for maximum yield and return through drip irrigation.
13.2 MATERIALS AND METHODS
Field trial was conducted, under farmers participatory research project, in the farmers
field in the Bihta - district Patna of Bihar - India, on sandy loam soil having pH 7.3,
E.C. 0.18 dsm
-1
. The experiment was conducted in a FRBD design with two irrigation
treatments (Drip and Flood irrigation method), three dripper/ plant Spacing (30, 45,
60 cm and row to row fixed at 60 cm spacing) and two nitrogen application methods,
that is, through fertigation and as a top dressing. The variety 'California Wonder' was
planted in first week of October during each year. Seedlings were grown in small bags
(8 cm × 4 cm size). Seedlings of 25-30 days were transplanted in appropriate treat-
ment in randomized plots. The crop was fertilized with recommended dose of FYM
(2 kg/m
2
), phosphate (200 kg/ha) given as SSP and potash (250 kg/ha) given as MOP
was applied as basal dose in all treatments in both the crops at 15 days before planting
and after 30 days of planting in split doses at every 25 days intervals during all the
years. Insecticides and fungicides were used as per crop requirement. Considering all
these factors, present experiment was conducted to find out minimum use of water,
optimum spacing and compact use of nutrients for maximum yield and returns through
drip Irrigation.
The drip system consists of fi lters (sand and screen), venture attachment for
fertigation, pipeline (PVC main supply pipe, size 30 mm, sub main LLDPE later-
als size 12 mm), and dripper size 0.6 PEE with the water discharge capacity of
2 l/h. The submain laterals were fi xed at 60 cm apart and drippers were fi xed at 30,
45 and 60 cm along the laterals. All submain laterals were controlled by gate valve
system. Nitrogen was provided by venturi system of fertigation. The drip system was
operated at alternate days or at two days interval for 10 min. Flood irrigation was pro-
vided by using plastic pipes (2 cm size) as per need or moisture content. The data were
recorded and calculated in randomly selected 3-5 plants in each plot.
13.3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
13.3.1 EFFECT OF IRRIGATION
The results revealed that the drip irrigation method significantly increased yield
(10.50 kg/m
2
) and net income (60.30 Rs./m
2
) of chili as compared to flood irrigation in
all the years. The crop yield was improved by 60.30% in drip irrigated chili. Maximum
water saving minimized weeds, diseases and total time of irrigation in drip irrigation.
However, in flood irrigation resulted in no water saving, more occurrence of weeds,
high disease incidence and total time. The results were in agreement with the past find-
ings, that is, Refs. [10, 14, 15, 18].
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