Effect of drip irrigation scheduling and mulching on plant growth, physiology, yield, water use efficiency and weed growth in spring-summer okra (Abelmoschus esculents Muench)

Spring summer okra requires high and frequent application of water due to high evapo-transpiration demand. Deficit irrigation (supply less water than required) coupled with mulching is good agricultural practice to enhance water use efficiency in vegetable crops. In this study, three drip irrigation scheduling and two types mulches were evaluated with surface irrigation and without mulch. Maximum soil moisture content of 12.2% and 13.5% was reported under organic mulch, respectively at 20 and 30 cm depth. Plants grown under organicand black-silver mulch haveregistered 52.5% and 35% higher chlorophyll content than control. Maximum stomatal conductance was reported with 100% PE + black-silver mulching (956.05 mmole/m²/sec). Significantlyhigher fruit yield (555.42g/plantand 112.05q/ha) was observed with drip irrigation at 100% PE, whereas in mulches, it was maximum under organic mulch (585.13 g/plant and 112.30 q/ha). As far as interaction of irrigation x mulch was concerned, the maximum yield of 684 g/plant and 125.32 q/ha was reported with drip irrigation 100% PE + organic mulch, which was 64.8% higher in yield with 15.2% water saving than the control.