Effect of varying drip irrigation levels and NPK fertigation on soil water dynamics, productivity and water use efficiency of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) in wet temperate zone of Himachal Pradesh

Efficient utilization of harvested rain-water either in small or big farm ponds is being emphasized upon through micro-irrigation systems. Among the various techniques developed for application of water, drip irrigation is gaining popularity as perhaps the most efficient method of water application. Keeping it in view, the study was conducted at experimental farm of CSK HPKV, Palampur, during the years 2010–11 and 2011–12 with the objectives of evaluating the effects of drip irrigation levels applied at 1.2, 1.0 and 0.8 CPE and NPK fertigation on soil water retention, water use efficiency, growth and productivity of cauliflower. The treatments comprised of (a) Three drip irrigation levels viz., I1.2 (1.2 CPE) i.e. drip at 120% CPE, I1.0 (1.0 CPE) i.e. drip at 100% CPE and I 0.8 (0.8 CPE) i.e. drip at 80% CPE, (b) Three fertigation levels viz., F100 i.e. 100% recommended dose of fertilizer, F66.6 i.e. 66.6% recommended dose of fertilizer and F 33.3 i.e. 33.3% recommended dose of fertilizer and (c) Control (IRec) i.e. flood Irrigation of 4 cm at 8–10 days interval and 100% recommended dose of fertilizer. The cauliflower variety cv. PSB K-1 was transplanted on October 12, 2010 in the first year and on October 30, 2011 in the second year of experiment. The results showed significant rise in moisture content when water application depth was increased from I0.8 to I1.2. In both years, the results indicated that I 1.2 treatment had higher soil water content in comparison to I1.0, I0.8 and IRec. The I1.2 treatment due to favorable soil moisture regimes led to higher marketable curd yield and water use efficiency in comparison to I1.0 and I0.8. Likewise, F treatment had higher marketable curd yield and water use efficiency in comparison to F66.6 and F33.3. The highest marketable curd yield, water use efficiency, gross return was obtained under I1.2 F100 treatment combination. The study concluded that drip based irrigation scheduling resulted in higher water use efficiency (44.94 to 54.34%) and saving in irrigation water (35.85 to 50%) in comparison to conventional method of irrigation.