Water use, yield and economics of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) under varying IW-CPE ratios and fertilizer levels in south west Rajasthan

A field experiment was conducted at Udaipur for two consecutive rabi seasons of 2011–12 and 2012–13 with aim to rationalize the water use and enhance the productivity of fenugreek through use of appropriate IW-CPE ratio and fertilizer level. Results show that IW-CPE ratio of 1.0 registered significantly higher pooled seed yield (1833 kg ha⁻¹) to an extent of 45.48, 27.50 and 11.90% and pooled haulm yield (5111 kg ha⁻¹) to a level of 41.42, 23.72 and 10.26% over lower IW-CPE ratios 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8, respectively. However, pooled seed and haulm yield were statistically at par between IW-CPE ratios of 1.0 and 1.2. IW-CPE of 1.0 also recorded significantly higher pooled consumptive use (211.91 mm ha⁻¹) over lower IW-CPE ratios. Water use efficiency (WUE) under IW-CPE ratio of 1.0 (8.63 kg grain mm⁻¹ ha⁻¹) was indifferent to IW-CPE ratio of 1.2 however; these treatment registered significantly lower pooled WUE values than various lower IW-CPE ratios. IW-CPE ratio of 1.0 also registered significantly higher pooled dry matter plant⁻¹ at 40 and 80 days (1.40 and 11.97 g, respectively) and at harvest (17.07 g) over different lower IW-CPE ratios. IW-CPE ratio of 1.0 fetched significantly higher pooled net return (Rs 58442 ha⁻¹) and benefit cost ratio (3.53) over lower IW-CPE ratios but variations were indifferent with IW-CPE ratio of 1.2. Among fertility levels, 40 kg N + 40 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ registered significantly higher pooled yield (seed: 1721 kg ha⁻¹ and haulm: 4777 ha⁻¹), consumptive use (173.59 mm ha⁻¹), WUE (10.40 kg grain mm⁻¹ ha⁻¹), dry matter plant⁻¹ at 40 days (1.34 g), 80 days (11.67 g) and at harvest (16.39 g), net return (Rs 54176 ha⁻¹) and benefit cost ratio (3.33) but variations were indifferent with 60 kg N + 60 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ in pooled seed and haulm yield, consumptive use, WUE, dry matter plant⁻¹ at 40 and 80 days and harvest and net return.