1All India Coordinated Research Project on Water Management, Regional Research Station, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, PO - Gayeshpur, Nadia 741234.
2Department of Agricultural Meteorology and Physics, Regional Research Station, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, PO - Gayeshpur, Nadia 741234.
3Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Regional Research Station, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, PO - Gayeshpur, Nadia 741234.
*Corresponding author, E-mail: sbg_bckv05@rediffmail.com
The results of experiment on low cost gravity drip irrigation in winter brinjal crop (cv. Muktakeshi) revealed that maximum plant height, leaves and flowers were recorded with surface irrigation and 100% ETo/ETc treatments. Drip irrigated plant became stunted and leaf numbers and flowers per plant decreased with water supply at lower replenishment of ETc. Branching of plant was more under dripirrigated crop. Higher moisture supply widened flower to fruit ratio (1: 5.4 – 5.6). Reduced water supply by 80 and 60% ETc caused early flowering and improved flower to fruiting ratio, but reduced the flower number and fruit size. The maximum fruit yield (162.8 – 176.8 q ha−1) was obtained with increased water supply but reduced water supply did not hamper yield significantly. Drip irrigation with fertigation was noticed superior in fruit yield over surface method of water supply. Drip irrigation saved 37 – 49% water over surface irrigation.
Crop growth, drip irrigation, Solanum nigrum, water use efficiency, yield
