Effect of drip fertigation levels on soil water dynamics, water use efficiency, yield and quality parameters of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) in wet temperate zone of Himachal Pradesh

The present study was conducted at experimental farm of CSK HPKV, Palampur, during the year 2012–2013 with the objectives to evaluate the effects of drip irrigation levels and different methods of fertilizer application on soil water retention and transmission, plant water and water use efficiency, quality parameters, growth, productivity and nutrient uptake by broccoli. The treatments comprised of (a) three drip irrigation levels vi%., I_ll4-Drip at 40% CPE, I_ll6-Drip at 60% CPE and I_ll8-Drip at 80% CPE (b) three fertilizer application levels vi%., F_wll-100% recommended dose of fertilizer through fertigation, F_(25+F75-25% recommended dose of fertilizer through conventional method as a basal dose and 75% through fertigation and F_(T-100% of recommended dose of fertilizer through conventional method and fertilizers, (c) control-Flood irrigation of 4 cm at 8–10 days interval + 100% recommended dose of fertilizer and (d) absolute control-No fertilizer and flood irrigation of 4 cm at 8–10 days interval. The broccoli cv. Palam Samridhi was transplanted on October 31, 2012. The results indicated that I_ll8 and l_Ecc treatment had higher soil water content, soil water stock, profile water recharge in comparison to I_(l4 and I_(l6. The I_ll8 treatment due to favorable soil moisture regimes led to better root and shoot growth, higher relative leaf water content, marketable curd yield, TSS, ascorbic acid, chlorophyll content, NPK uptake, fertilizer use efficiency with respect to N, P and K and water use efficiency in comparison to I_ll4, 1_(l6 and I_Rcc. Likewise, F_]m and F_C25+F75 treatment had higher root and shoot growth, relative leaf water content, marketable curd yield, TSS, ascorbic acid, chlorophyll content, NPK uptake and water use efficiency in comparison to F_CF. The marketable curd yield obtained under I_II4F_]IKI was at par with I|]₆F_]IKI treatment, which resulted in saving of 20% irrigation water. The study concluded that drip based irrigation scheduling resulted in higher water use efficiency (44.68% to 54.88%) and saving in irrigation water (43.25% to 48.90%) in comparison to conventional method of irrigation.