Effect of fertigation levels on nutrient uptake, leaf area index and fertilizer expense efficiency of strawberry ( Fragaria ananasa ) under protected cultivation

Abstract

Fertigation is an attractive technology in modern irrigated agriculture which not only increases yield and fertilizer use efficiency but also maintains optimal nutrient levels and water supply according to the specific needs of each crop and type of soil. A study was conducted at experimental farm of CSK HPKV, Palampur, during the year 2015-16 with the objectives of evaluating the effect of fertigation levels on nutrient uptake, leaf area index and fertilizer expense efficiency of strawberry under protected cultivation. The treatments comprised of, (a) three drip irrigation levels, DI0.6 (Daily drip irrigation at 60 per cent of open pan evaporation), DI0.8 (Daily drip irrigation at 80 per cent of open pan evaporation) and DI1.0 (Daily drip irrigation at 100 per cent of open pan evaporation) and (b) three NK fertigation levels viz., NK50 (50% of RDF of which 25% applied as basal and rest 75 % through fertigation at weekly interval), NK75 (75% of RDF of which 25% applied as basal and rest 75 % through fertigation at weekly interval) and NK100 (100% of RDF of which 25% applied as basal and rest 75 % through fertigation at weekly interval). In addition, one control (C)- 100% RDF applied through conventional method (1/2 N and full PK as basal and remaining 1/2 N in equal split at monthly intervals) with drip irrigation at 1.0 PE was also kept. The results revealed that with increasing irrigation level from DI0.6 to DI1.0 there was no significant improvement in plant nutrient uptake, leaf area index and fertilizer expense efficiency. However, increasing fertigation level from NK50 to NK100 improved plant nutrient uptake, leaf area index and fertilizer expense efficiency. The N and K uptake in fruit in treatment NK75 was statistically at par with NK100. The P uptake in fruit in NK50 was statistically at par with NK100. The fertilizer expense efficiency (FEE) under various drip irrigation levels was non-significant. However, among different NK fertigation levels, the FEE in NK75 was statistically at par with NK50. A saving of 40-60 % irrigation water and 25% NK was observed from the study.