Influence of drip fertigation levels and scheduling on root characters of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L var. italica)

Abstract

Efficient use of water and fertilizer is highly critical to sustain the agricultural production in the context of declining per capita land and water availability, pollution and increasing cost of fertilizers. Field experiments were conducted during Rabi season for two consecutive years (2016-17 and 2017-18) to study the effect of drip fertigation levels and scheduling on root growth of broccoli under tarai conditions of Uttarakhand. The experiment was laid out in two factorial randomized block design with one additional treatment replicated thrice. The treatment consists of five fertigation levels and two scheduling along with one control as additional treatment. Root length, root spread, fresh root weight and root dry mass were increased under drip fertigation practices as compared to conventional method of fertilizer application along with surface irrigation. Fertigation promotes the production of intensely branched roots that facilitates nutrient acquisition as well as foraging capacity. On the other hand, conventional method of irrigation and fertilizer application has exhibited limited root spread and rooting depth in the rhizosphere.