Impact of Sensor-based Drip Irrigation System on Soil Temperature, Weed Density and Yield of Ridge Gourd (Luffa acutangula L.)

Author: Anand Gouda, Nemichandrappa M., Halidoddi R.R., Babu M.B., Mallikarjunreddy and Ramesh G.

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Abstract

Ridge gourd was the subject of a field experiment at the Experimental Research Plot Soil and Water Engineering, CAE, Raichur, during the Rabi seasons of 2021-22 and 2022-23. The purpose of the research was to compare the performance of mulched and non-mulched circumstances while evaluating the effectiveness of an irrigation system based on sensors and evapotranspiration at various irrigation levels. The soil temperatures at depths of 3, 10, and 20 cm were consistently higher in the treatments conducted under mulched conditions. This was seen at three different time points: 8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 5:00 PM. The measurements were taken at 30, 60, and 90 days after treatment (DAT) of the crop. The soil temperature exhibited an increase of about 1.42, 1.42, and 1.34ºC when compared to the irrigation system in the absence of mulching, at soil depths of 3, 10, and 20 cm respectively. Positive results from the application of sensor-based irrigation at 100% field capacity under mulching have resulted in a noticeable increase in crop output of roughly 9.40%. Additionally, this strategy has significantly reduced the need for irrigation water. The highest benefit cost ratio was under surface drip irrigation at 100% ET under mulched condition, i.e., 1.90. The sensor-based drip irrigation system under mulched is an economically viable option to be recommended among farmers in arid and semi-arid climate. Although initial setup costs may be higher, the long-term benefits of reduced water usage, increased yields and minimized labour expenses result in substantial cost savings for farmers.

Keywords

Mulch, Irrigation, Sensor, Soil temperature, Yield and B.C ratio

Conclusion

The present investigated the impact of sensor-based irrigation system under mulched on ridge gourd. The main aim of this study was to analyze the water saving potential, crop yield improvement and overall sustainability of this integrated approach. Different irrigation scenarios under mulched and non-mulched conditions significantly influenced the diurnal variation in soil temperature at different soil depths during different crop growth stages. The treatments under mulched condition maintained higher soil temperatures at 3, 10 and 20 cm soil depths at 8:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM, at 30, 60 and 90 DAT of the crop. The soil temperature was about 1.42, 1.42 and 1.34 ºC higher than the irrigation under non-mulched condition at 3, 10 and 20 cm soil depths. At 1:00 PM, the soil at 3, 10 and 20 cm depths under irrigation under mulched treatments (maintained higher temperature than the irrigation under non-mulched condition by 1.26, 1.24 and 1.24 ºC, respectively. At 5:00 PM, the increase in temperature under irrigation under mulched treatments were 1.29, 1.17 and 1.15 ºC than the irrigation under non-mulched condition at 3, 10 and 20 cm soil depths, respectively. Maximum weeds were found in irrigation at 100% ET under non-mulched treatment compared to the irrigation at 80% FC under mulched treatments. Lower irrigation throughout the crop period with polyethylene mulch, controlled the weed population, and saved the inter cultivation cost. The weed per metre square in under non-mulched plots, was found to be higher throughout the crop period. Crop yield per hectare was significantly higher in the treatment pertaining to irrigation at 100% FC under mulched condition on pooled basis (45.49 kg ha-1), followed by treatment under irrigation at 100% ET under mulched condition (T5) i.e., 41.21 kg ha-1. In contrast, the treatment involving irrigation at 80% FC under non-mulched condition recorded significantly lower crop yield per hectare on pooled basis (23.52 kg ha-1). The growth yield parameters of the ridge gourd recorded highest in treatment pertaining to irrigation at 100% FC under mulched condition (T1), i.e., fruit length of 53.07 cm, fruit girth of 17.32 cm, fruit weight of 348.20 g and fruit yield per plant of 6.25 kg on pooled basis. Highest net present worth of ` 29,88,351 ha-1 was observed under sensor based drip irrigation at 100% FC under mulched condition. The net present worth from sensor based drip irrigation at 100% FC and surface drip irrigation at 100% ET under mulched condition were 17.54 and 10.59% higher than the sensor based drip irrigation at 80% FC under non-mulched condition. The surface drip irrigation system at 100% evapotranspiration (ET) in mulched conditions yielded the greatest benefit-cost ratio, i.e., 1.90. The treatment of surface drip irrigation at 100% ET under mulched condition resulted in observed payback times of 0.47 years, indicating a very short time frame for recouping the initial investment. The implementation of a sensor-based drip irrigation system, along with mulching, is a financially feasible solution that may be offered to farmers operating in arid and semi-arid regions. Despite the higher initial setup costs, farmers may achieve significant cost savings in the long run due to lower water consumption, better yields, and minimised labour requirements.

References

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How to cite this article

Anand Gouda, Nemichandrappa M., Halidoddi R.R., Babu M.B., Mallikarjunreddy and Ramesh G. (2023). Impact of Sensor-based Drip Irrigation System on Soil Temperature, Weed Density and Yield of Ridge Gourd (Luffa acutangula L.). Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(10): 797-806.