Effect of irrigation levels on yield, water use, water use efficiency and NPK uptake of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) cultivars grown under drip system

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Instructional Farm, College of agriculture, Bikaner (Rajasthan) during rabi season to study the influence of drip irrigation levels on yield, water use efficiency and nutrient uptake of different cultivars of fennel. Results revealed that irrigation through drip at 1.0 PE recorded significantly highest number of umbels plant-1 (30.90) and number of umbellate umbel-1 (20.04). Water use was higher when crop was irrigated at 1.0 PE, where as water use efficiency was found maximum (2.26 kg ha-1 mm) with application of 0.85 PE drip irrigation. Significantly highest nutrient (NPK) uptake by seed and stover recorded with 1.0 PE level of irrigation but remained at par with 0.85 PE. Total nutrient uptake (seed and stover) increased significantly with increasing level of irrigation. Among the different cultivars RF-205 found superior over the RF-101, RF-125 and RF-143. Different cultivars could not influence nitrogen uptake and potassium uptake by seed. Test weight was not significantly influenced by both irrigation levels and cultivars.