Effect of fertigation on soil fertility, yield and nutrient uptake by brinjal

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of fertigation on yield, soil fertility status and nutrient uptake by brinjal during rabi season of 2017-18 at research farm of Department of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with five treatments replicated four times. The treatments consist of various levels of fertilizers through drip fertigation and a control treatment with traditional application of fertilizer. The results revealed that the yield increased with increasing level of Fertigation. The maximum yield was recorded with drip fertigation at 150% RDF (557.10 q ha-1) which was found to be at par with drip Fertigation at 125% RDF (554.88 q ha-1). Significantly lower yield obtained under control i.e. traditional fertilization at 100% RDF (428.56 q ha-1). Similar trend was observed with highest available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and micronutrients in soil. Chemical properties of soil were also improved with fertigation as compared to traditional method of fertilizer application. Highest B:C ratio was obtained in treatment with drip fertigation at 125% RDF (3.22) followed by treatment with drip fertigation at 100% RDF (3.09).