Yield and economics of linseed as influenced by different land configuration and irrigation levels

Abstract

An investigation was undertaken at College of Agriculture, Nagpur to study the effect of land configuration and irrigation levels on growth, yield attributes and yield of linseedduring rabi season of 2014-2015 in split plot design with twelve treatment combinations consisting of four land configurations viz., L1 (Flat bed), L2 (Ridges and furrow), L3 (Opening of furrow after two rows) and L4 (Broad bed furrow) and three irrigation levels viz., I1- One irrigation at flowering (40-45 DAS), I2- Two irrigations, one at flowering (40-45 DAS) and second at capsule formation (65-70 DAS) and I3- Three irrigations, one at vegetative (20-25 DAS), second at flowering (40- 45 DAS) and third at capsule formation (65-70 DAS) replicated three times. Linseed variety PKV NL-260 was used as a test crop. The soil was clayey in texture with pH 7.8 indicating slightly alkaline in reaction. Results showed that application of land configuration treatments significantly increased yield contributing characters such as number of capsule plant-1, number of seed capsule-1, seed yield plant-1(g), seed and straw yield (kg ha-1). Highest values of all the yield contributing characters, seed and straw yield were recorded in land configuration treatment of broad bed furrow (BBF) but at par with sowing on ridges and furrow. Sowing of linseed on broad bed furrow (BBF) significantly increased GMR, NMR and achieved higher value of B:C ratio (4.37) than other treatments. Results further revealed that, application of three irrigations, one at vegetative stage, second at flowering and third at capsule formation recorded significantly higher values of yield attributing parameters like number of capsule plant-1, number of seed capsule-1, seed yield plant-1 (g), seed and straw yield kg ha-1 over treatment of one irrigation at flowering and was at par with two irrigations, one at flowering and second at capsule formation. It also recorded maximum values of gross monetary return and net monetary returns. Interaction effect of land configuration and irrigation levels were found to be non significant in respect of yield parameters as well as seed yield kg ha-1.