Effect of drip fertigation on pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp]-A review

Food legumes are important source of protein in the diets of a large section of vegetarian population in the developing countries in general and India in particular. Even though India has the largest area under pulses in the world, the average productivity is relatively low and the production is not adequate to meet the demand. For increasing the productivity of the pulses key inputs viz., water, seeds and nutrients need to be applied in the right quantity to enhance the production. The water use efficiency is increased through microirrigation in the form of drips and sprinklers. Drip irrigation can beconsidered as an efficient irrigation system since it causes wetting of the soil only and maintain optimum moisture content in the root zone. It also offers several water management advantages like timely application of water and water supply. Micro irrigation provides many unique agronomic, water and energy conservation benefits that address many of the challenges facing irrigated agriculture, now and in the future.