Effect of drip irrigation scheduling and mulching on plant growth, physiology, yield, water use efficiency and weed growth in spring-summer okra (Abelmoschus esculents Muench)

Spring summer okra requires high and frequent applicationof water due to high evapo-transpiration demand. Deficitirrigation (supply less water than required) coupled withmulching is good agricultural practice to enhance water useefficiency in vegetable crops. In this study, three dripirrigation scheduling and two types mulches were evaluatedwith surface irrigation and without mulch. Maximum soilmoisture content of 12.2% and 13.5% was reported underorganic mulch, respectively at 20 and 30 cm depth. Plantsgrown under organic and black-silver mulch have registered52.5% and 35% higher chlorophyll content than control.Maximum stomatal conductance was reported with 100%PE + black-silver mulching (956.05 mmole/m2/sec).Significantly higher fruit yield (555.42 g/plant and 112.05 q/ha) was observed with drip irrigation at 100% PE, whereasin mulches, it was maximum under organic mulch (585.13 g/plant and 112.30 q/ha). As far as interaction of irrigation xmulch was concerned, the maximum yield of 684 g/plant and125.32 q/ha was reported with drip irrigation 100% PE +organic mulch, which was 64.8% higher in yield with 15.2%water saving than the control.