Agrotechnology

Effect of mulching on growth and yield of chilli under drip fertigation

3^rd International Conference on Agriculture & Horticulture

October 27-29, 2014 Hyderabad International Convention Centre, India

Rasika Burghate

Posters: Agrotechnol

Abstract:

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of mulching on growth and yield of chilli under drip fertigation at Dr. P.D.K.V., Akola during August 2013 to February 2014. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with five treatment which included four irrigation level (100 %, 80 %, 60 % and 40 %) with plastic mulch and (100 % ET) without mulch replicating four times. The study indicated higher plant growth, more number of fruits per plant and enhancement in the yield under all drip irrigation with mulch. Yield of green chilli was maximum in the treatment of drip irrigation at 80 % ET with mulching (335.16 q/ha) and found to be at par with the treatment of drip irrigation at 100 % ET with mulching (319.50 q/ha) directly reflects 17.01 per cent water saving with comparable yield. Minimum yield of chilli was found in the treatment drip irrigation at 100 % ET without mulching (201.95 q/ha). Irrigation water use efficiency 9.58 q/ha-cm was found in the treatment of 80 % ET with mulching. Highest weed count and weed weight was observed in control treatment of 100 % ET without mulch and negligible weed growth was found in all mulching treatment. On the basis of benefit cost ratio it is economically viable for the farmers to adopt drip irrigation at 80 % ET with mulching for green chilli which shows BC ratio 2.71. Keywords: Chilli, mulch, drip irrigation, water use efficiency, benefit cost ratio.