Effect of surface and sub-surface drip irrigation system on seed cotton in Vertisols of Malaprabha command in Northern Karnataka

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during 2015-16 and 2016-17 to compare the surface and sub-surface drip irrigation system on seed cotton in Vertisols of Malaprabha command in Northern Karnataka. Drip system with irrigation treatment as 1.0 Etc, 0.8 ETc and 0.6 ETc in surface as well as sub-surface system were considered along with farmers method as check was considered for the study. Sub-surface drip system yields maximum, (20.37 q.ha-1) seed cotton which is on par with surface drip system and farmers method. The water use efficiency was maximum, 4.17 Kg. (ha.mm)-1 with farmers method but also which is on par with surface and sub surface method of irrigation method. The gross and net income was maximum (Rs 94,051 ha-1 and Rs 49,056 ha-1) in subsurface drip system also yield was on par with surface and farmers method of irrigation. The B:C ratio was maximum (2.07) in case of surface system. The significantly superior water use efficiency was recorded with 0.6 ETc. Interaction effect between irrigation 0.6 ETc surface drip with and sub-surface system was also recorded significantly superior. The overall water saving was recorded about 12.45 percent, 20.21 percent and 42.34 percent with 1.0 ETc 0.8 ETc, and 0.6 ETc respectively when compared with farmers method.