Impact of Drip Irrigation With Plastic Mulch on Yield and Return of Brinjal Crop

Experiments were conducted on the sandy loam soil in coastal Orrisa for two years 2006–07 and 2007–08, to evaluate the economic feasibility of drip irrigation with black LLDPE mulch in brinjal crop. Actual evapotranspiration for brinjal crop was estimated using modified Pan Evaporation method. The net irrigation volume (V) was determined after deducting the effective rainfall. The average water requirement of crop was estimated to be 330 mm. The effect of three irrigation levels viz., V, 0.8 V and 0.6 V with drip and black LLDPE mulch was studied on biometric and yeild response of brinjal crop. The results of surface irrigation either alone with black LLDPE mulch were compared with drip irrigation. The study indicated better yield under drip irrigation with plastic mulch. The highest yield (34.8 t/ha) was recorded under V drip irrigation with mulch (T₅) as compared to other treatment. An increase of 65% in yield and 83% in net income was recorded in case of V drip irrigation with mulch as compared to conventional surface irrigation. The benefit cost ratio was highest (2.18) for V drip alone. Mulch alone could increase the yield by 36% even in the absence of mulch. The highest yield net profit per mm of water were observed in case of 0.6 V drip alongwith mulch.