1Assistant Professor, Division of Soil & Water Conservation Engineering, CoAE&T, SKUAST-K, Srinagar-190025, J&K
2Assistant Professor, Division of Soil and Water Engineering, FOAE, SKUAST-J, Chatha, Jammu-180009, J&K
3Maharana Pratap Horticultural University, Karnal, Haryana
Irrigation scheduling involves determining the appropriate timing and quantity of water to apply. In this study, the CROPWAT 8.0 model was employed as a decision-making tool for irrigation scheduling. The objective was to estimate the water requirement, irrigation demand, and optimal timing of irrigation for cabbage cultivation. Inputs for the CROPWAT 8.0 model, like soil characteristics, climate conditions, crop information, and rainfall data were collected. The analysis revealed, the lowest daily crop water requirement was 0.64 mm, occurring during the second decade of December, while the highest requirement of 2.63 mm was observed during the first decade of September. The total water requirement for cabbage cultivation was estimated to be 179.8 mm, while the irrigation demand amounted to 173.7 mm. Based on these findings, which was suitable for the specific agro-ecological conditions. Ideally, it is advisable to adjust the irrigation interval based on the crop’s growth stage, ensuring that soil moisture stress does not become a limiting factor in achieving maximum yield. By considering input-output parameters, this approach can help avoid over- or under-irrigation. In summary, the estimation of irrigation scheduling using the CROPWAT 8.0 model provides a valuable and efficient means of generating information for users, enabling them to make informed decisions promptly.
CROPWAT, Estimation, Irrigation Scheduling, Cabbage, Kashmir
