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Site Specific Drip Fertigation
A. H. V.M.
Kerala Agricultural University
Two test plots, one from high fertility zone and one from low fertility zone were identified and delineated with the help of GPS for raising the test crop. Soil samples were collected from the experimental sites one month before planting. The samples were analyzed for available N, P and K. Site specific nutrient recommendations were made using the Decision Support System for Integrated Fertilizer Recommendation (DSSIFER) software (Murugappan et al. 2004) for optimum yield. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of site specific drip fertigation in completely randomized design (CRD) with six treatments and four replications. Hybrid chilli (Hot line) was used as the test crop. Package of practices were carried out as per recommendations. Relevant observations on growth parameters at periodic intervals, root characteristics, yield and quality parameters of chilli were recorded and economics viz., gross return, net return and Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) were calculated. 
 
Drip irrigation was scheduled daily (24 hrs) and once in two days (48 hrs) based on the treatments with the computed quantity of water. Phosphorous was applied as top dressing in the form of super phosphate in three split dozes (basal, 30 Days After Planting (DAP) and 60 DAP). Nitrogen (Urea) and potassium (MOP) were applied through fertigation once in five days starting from 15 DAP up to 155 DAP. Residual nutrient status of the soil was estimated in the soil after final picking.
 
There was a significant difference in total green fruit yield owing to different moisture regimes by different intervals of drip irrigation in both fertility areas. The highest total green fruit yield was recorded under the treatment site specific drip fertigation with daily drip irrigation for low fertility area, whereas there was no significant difference between the total yield under the treatments viz. site specific drip fertigation and recommended dose drip fertigation along with daily drip irrigation for high fertility area .The various growth parameters and yield parameters also varied in the same trend as that of total green fruit yield.
 
Significant variation in nutrient uptake was observed with respect to both irrigation interval and fertigation levels in case of low fertility area, whereas the fertigation levels showed no marked difference in nutrient uptake for high fertility area. The highest partial factor productivity of nutrients was observed for the treatment with site specific drip fertigation and daily drip irrigation both in case of low fertility and high fertility area.
Water use efficiency varied with fertilizer applied and irrigation interval in case of low fertility area, whereas it varied with irrigation interval in high fertility area. The moisture content before irrigation increased from 0 – 15 cm depth to 15 – 30 cm depth, whereas the same was reduced with the radial distance from the emitter, in all the treatments.
 
In both fertility areas, highest BCR was recorded with the treatment site specific drip fertigation and daily drip irrigation followed by the treatment with site specific drip fertigation and alternate day drip irrigation. In case of low fertility area, highest BCR was recorded with the treatment site specific drip fertigation and daily drip irrigation (2.42) followed by the treatment site specific drip fertigation and alternate day drip irrigation (2.25). The lowest BCR was recorded under the treatment with manual application of fertilizer and alternate day drip irrigation (1.91).
           
From the present study it could be concluded that
  1. Fertilizer recommendations are to be made based on the existing fertility status of the fields, rather than going for blanket recommendations for all the fields.
  2. Adoption of site specific drip fertigation with daily drip irrigation in hybrid chilli is a viable proposition for the farmers who aim for greater income benefits utilizing optimal inputs.
  3. Site specific drip fertigation with daily drip irrigation would be an ideal practice to achieve greater income from unit land area.
 
Keyword: Drip Irrigation, Fertigation, Site specific
A. H. V.m.    Precision Nutrient Management    Oral    2014
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