Water requirement Assessment under drip micro-sprinkler & surface irrigation for broccoli yield

Abstract

India is the second largest producer after China, while the US ranks third. Broccoli is a cool-season crop that can be grown in the spring or fall. In India, Broccoli is boom for rural economy. It is shallow rooted crop. Therefore, irrigation should be applied frequently to prevent the plant from injures in dry soil. Reference ET was found to be between 9.1 and 5.3 mm/day during the growing season showing a high variability due to significant changes in temperature & incoming solar radiation. Potential ET for broccoli was highest in February (116.2 mm) during the mid season showing the high crop water demand during this period. Irrigation water requirement for broccoli using Drip was found to be 33% less than Surface irrigation. Water Use Efficiency was found to higher in case of Drip (2.27 Kg/m3) than in the case of Surface (1.36kg/m3).