Influence of drip fertigation on growth, yield and leaf-quality characters of suncured chewing tobacco (Nicotiana tobaccum)

A field experiment was conducted during 2011–14 at Research Station of ICAR-Central Tobacco Research Institute, Vedasandur, Tamil Nadu, to study the effect of drip fertigation in sun cured chewing tobacco (Nicotiana tabaccum L.). Drip fertigation was given with 60, 80 and 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN), drip irrigation with 100% RDN (soil applied) as against the surface method of irrigation with 100% RDN. Drip fertigation at 100% RDN recorded significantly higher leaf length and leaf width than surface method of irrigation. The increase in first grade leaf yield (FGLY) and total cured leaf yield (TCLY) was 12.5% and 17.2%, respectively, with drip fertigation over surface method of irrigation. Water-use efficiency (WUE) ranged from 19.9 to 22.4 kg/ha-mm with the drip treatments. Cost of cultivation was higher with drip treatments (74,200 to 76,600/ha), than that of surface method of irrigation (67,900). The net returns increased by 19.9% with drip fertigation at 100% RDN and drip irrigation with 100% RDN (soil applied) over the surface irrigation. Similar trend was also observed for benefit: cost ratio. Nutrient uptake (NPK) and residual soil nutrients were higher with drip fertigation with 100 and 80% RDN. Chewablilty scores were higher (>65 out of 80) with drip fertigation with 100, 80% RDN and drip irrigation with 100% RDN soil applied, nicotine content increased (2.80 to 2.82%) and reducing sugars decreased (3.60 to 3.40%) with drip irrigation or with drip fertigation.