Author(s): Brahamdeo Kumar Yadav and Indu Bhushan Bhagat

Abstract: A field experiment was conducted in sandy loam soil to investigate the water and nutrient use efficiency of Sprouting Broccoli grown on sandy loam soil using fertigation. The treatments included application of the recommended fertilizer dose as soil application and irrigation through drip system as well as three levels of fertigation 100, 80 and 60 percent of recommended fertilizer doses. Flood irrigation with the recommended fertilizer dose was treated as control. Water and nutrient profiles were monitored horizontally and vertically at various crop stages. The results indicated that through drip irrigation the soil water status was maintained at optimum level in the root zone of the crop (0-50 cm) which extended up to 30 cm horizontally from the plant. Nitrate concentration was maximum below the emitter decreasing as the wetting zone moved away from the emitter. Yields obtained indicated that substantial savings in the fertilizer applied, to the extent of 20 to 40 percent, could be accomplished through fertigation. The spatial distribution of nitrate and water content indicate that designing the drip system is very important in fertigation studies for maximizing the fertilizer use efficiency.

Pages: 1421-1424 | Views: 48 | Downloads: 4

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