Effect of irrigation methods on vegetable production in sodic Soil

Abstract

Vegetable production in salt affected soil is a challenging task. One of the opportunities in improving vegetable yield in sodic soil is through identifying suitable irrigation methods. In this line field experiment was conducted at Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, Trichy- 9. Furrow irrigation and three micro-irrigation methods viz., drip, sprinkler and raingun were tested for three crops viz., cluster beans, bhendi and vegetable cowpea. Higher cluster beans equivalent yield was recorded under drip irrigation by 39, 34, and 41 per cent in cluster beans, bhendi and vegetable cowpea compared to furrow irrigation. Regarding crops bhendi recorded higher cluster beans equivalent yield (172.6 q/ha) followed by cowpea and cluster beans. Water saving in micro-irrigation compared to furrow irrigation was 23.1, 24.5 and 25.7 per cent in cluster beans, bhendi and vegetable cowpea. Water use efficiency was higher in drip irrigation (19.3 kg/ha mm) and lower in furrow irrigation (10.9 kg/ha mm) for all the crops. Drip irrigation recorded higher relative leaf water content and lower post harvest soil available nutrients. The result indicates that drip irrigation proves to be an efficient tool for improving vegetable yield under sodic soil conditions.