Effect of fertigation on crop yield, water use efficiency and fertilizer use efficiency of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under protected structure

Abstract

Fertigation is supplying fertilizers along with irrigation is one of the most effective and convenient method of supplying nutrients with water according to the specific requirements of the crop to maintain optimum soil fertility and to increase the quality of the produce. The experiment, effect of fertigation on crop growth, yield, water use efficiency and fertilizer use efficiency of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under protected structure” consisted of four levels of fertigation (50% RDF (T1), 75% RDF (T2), 100% RDF (T3) through fertigation and 100% RDF (T4) through soil application. Water applied was common for all the treatments and it was 100% crop ET. The highest crop yield was recorded in the treatment receiving 100% crop ET with 100% RDF through fertigation. i.e., 111.70t ha-1. The water use efficiency was highest in treatment consisting of drip irrigation at 60% crop ET and nutrient use efficiency was highest in the treatment receiving 100% crop ET with 100% RDF through fertigation (587.89 kg ha-1).