Effect of land configuration and irrigation scheduling on productivity and water use of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) under south-eastern ecologies of Rajasthan

A field experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) season of 2019–20, at Agricultural Research Station, Agriculture University, Ummedganj, Kota, Rajasthan, to evaluate the land configuration and irrigation scheduling on yield and water use (water use efficiency and water productivity) of ‘White Type’ quinoa [Chenopodium quinoa C.L. willdenow (Willd.)]. In main plot, 9 treatment combinations of land configuration techniques (flat bed, ridge and furrow and broad bed and furrow technique) were replicated 4 times, with 3 irrigation scheduling [1 irrigation at 2025 days after sowing (DAS), 2 irrigation at 20–25 and 55–60 DAS and 3 irrigation at 20–25, 55–60 and 90–95 DAS] in subplot. Amongst the land-configuration techniques, maximum yields, viz. grain, stover and biological yield, obtained under broad bed and furrow techniques, were significantly higher over ridge and furrow and flat bed techniques. Broad bed and furrow technique significantly increased the water-use efficiency (23.40 kg/ha-mm) and water productivity (₹106.26/m³) over rest of the land-configuration techniques. It also recorded the maximum moisture extracted at lower layers, i.e 30–60 and 60–90 cm depth, but flat-bed technique extracted maximum moisture in upper layer of soil, i.e. 0–30 cm. Application of 3 irrigation level resulted in significantly highest yields, viz. grain, stover and biological yield, compared to rest of irrigation scheduling. With 1 irrigation level, the maximum water-consumption efficiency (26.77 kg/ha-mm) and water productivity (₹112.70/m³) were significantly lower than with higher levels of irrigation. The maximum moisture extracted at 0–30 cm depth was recorded at 3 irrigation level (20–25, 55–60 and 90–95 DAS), and the maximum moisture extracted in lower layers of soil (30–60 and 60–90 cm) was recorded at 1 irrigation level (20–25 DAS). In terms of grain yield, biological yield, water-use efficiency and water productivity interactions between land layout strategies and irrigation schedule were also found significant.