Water scarcity is becoming more and more serious globally as a result of climate change and population increase. This necessitates automation in the irrigation system for effective water resource utilisation, and most researchers are now focusing on irrigation system automation. Sensor-based automation in drip irrigation systems will be game changer technology for effectively utilising water resources. A field experiment on precision irrigation and nitrogen management on growth and yield of baby corn (Zea mays L.) was carried out during summer 2021 and 2022 at L Block, GKVK, Bengaluru. Three levels of irrigation as main plot treatment with five sub plots of nutrient management practices were laid out in a split plot design. The results revealed that IoT based drip irrigation at 50 per cent DASM along with application of fertilizer using SSNM based split application of NPK for targeted yield of 10 t ha-1 recorded significantly higher plant height (177.1 cm), number of leaves (15.6 plant-1), dry matter accumulation (164.5 g plant-1), GreenSeeker value (0.78), SPAD value (61.3), Cob length (13.9 cm), cob girth (6.1 cm), cob weight (21.9 g cob-1), cob yield (85.5 q ha-1) and water use efficiency (31.8 kg ha-mm-1) on pooled basis compared to all treatments. Surface irrigation with recommended dose of fertilizer recorded significantly lower plant height (123.7 cm), number of leaves (10.1 plant-1), dry matter accumulation (110.0 g plant-1), GreenSeeker value (0.56), SPAD value (42.7), Cob length (8.4 cm), cob girth (3.9 cm), cob weight (15.7 g cob-1), cob yield (42.2 q ha-1) and water use efficiency (11.9 kg ha-mm-1). Sensor based irrigation and nitrogen management will save irrigation water, nutrients applied and enhance the yield.

Sensor, Internet of Things, GreenSeeker, SPAD, Baby corn

Irrigation with IoT based drip irrigation at 50 % DASM and yellow SMI based drip irrigation in baby corn helps to achieve yield of 7.17 and 6.70 t ha-1 with saving of water up to 31 and 27 per cent, respectively as compared to surface irrigation. Application of nutrients through SSNM based NPK management for target yield of 10 t ha-1 in baby corn helps to achieve dehusked cob yield of 7.83 t ha-1 by applying nutrient at split doses and STCR based split application of N for target yield of 10 t ha-1 will give on par yield (7.6 t ha-1). IoT based drip irrigation at 50 per cent DASM along with application of fertilizer using SSNM based split application of NPK for targeted yield of 10 t ha-1 helps to achieve higher fresh cob yield (8.55 t ha-1 of dehusked cob, respectively) and fodder yield (76.5 t ha-1). Framers can use these Internets of things in scheduling the irrigation and can monitor their field from various places. Artificial intelligence application in agriculture will bring new revolution in efficient irrigation and save the water applied. The smart irrigation technologies will change the face of irrigation with increasing the irrigation efficiency and higher yield. Irrigation used in the agriculture will be cut down to higher level so that the extra water can be utilized to raise other additional crops in the field. The sensors will help to improve the resource use efficiency.

Gurunath Raddy, Jayadeva H.M., Hanumantappa D.C., Lalitha B.S.(2022). Effect of Precision Irrigation and Nutrient Management on Growth and Yield of Baby Corn (Zea mays L.). Biological Forum – An International Journal, 14(3): 1622-1629.