Enhancing Productivity of Blackgram through drip Fertigation

Author: Anitta Fanish S. and S. Paneer Selvam

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Abstract

Blackgram is mostly grown under rainfed situation and due to the uneven distribution of rainfall; the crop faces moisture stress during the critical stages of their life cycle. Drip fertigation is one of the best available options to increase productivity with less quantity of water and judicious use of fertilizer input. In this regards, field experiments were conducted at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University to evaluate the effect of drip fertigation with Water-Soluble Fertilizer (WSF) on the yield and economics of blackgram cultivation. Blackgram, being a short-duration pulse crop, is widely cultivated under rainfed conditions in sub-marginal land. It results in low productivity. To enhance the productivity of blackgram, study was proposed to evaluate drip fertigation with WSF and straight fertilizer on yield, water use efficiency and net returns in blackgram. The result revealed that 75 per cent yield increment was observed in blackgram with drip fertigation of 100 percent recommended dose of fertilizer through water soluble fertilizer compared to surface irrigation with conventional method of fertilizer application. The same treatment also gave higher net return of Rs. 43132 /ha with benefit cost ratio of 1.98. Hence, it might concluded that drip fertigation of 100% RDF through WSF enhances the productivity and profitability of blackgram.

Keywords

Drip fertigation, Water soluble fertilizer, Blackgram, WUE, Economic efficiency

Conclusion

In blackgram, low productivity mainly due to cultivation under rainfed condition. To enhance blackgram productivity in a sustainable manner, its cultivation under irrigated condition is highly warranted. The available water for agrarian purpose has been highly used for cultivation of cultivation of high value commercial crops. Hence, effective irrigation strategies may help to achieve maximum productivity with minimum water. This study result revealed that drip fertigation of 100 percent recommended dose of fertilizer through water soluble fertilizer had 75 per cent yield increment over surface irrigation with conventional method of fertilizer application along with high WUE of 4.70 kg/ha mm. The economics also higher with this treatment (net return of Rs. 43132 /ha and benefit cost ratio of 1.98). Hence, it might concluded that drip fertigation of 100% RDF through WSF enhances the productivity and profitability of blackgram.

References

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How to cite this article

Anitta Fanish S. and S. Paneer Selvam (2023). Enhancing Productivity of Blackgram through drip Fertigation. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(1): 196-200.