EFFECT OF SALINE WATER DRIP IRRIGATION ON GROWTH PARAMETERS OF BHENDI CROP UNDER VARIOUS IRRIGATION TREATMENTS

R. SHARMILADEVI¹*, M.V. RANGHASWAMI², V. RAJENDRAN^3
1Department of Soil and water conservation Engineering, Agricultural Engineering College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tiruchirappalli, 621712, India
²Department of Soil and water conservation Engineering, Agricultural Engineering College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tiruchirappalli, 621712, India
³Department of Soil and water conservation Engineering, Agricultural Engineering College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tiruchirappalli, 621712, India
* Corresponding Author : devi.sharmila@gmail.com

Received : 14-10-2017     Accepted : 17-10-2017     Published : 24-10-2017
Volume : 9     Issue : 48       Pages : 4810 - 4815
Int J Agr Sci 9.48 (2017):4810-4815

Keywords : Bhendi, Drip Irrigation, Yield, Saline water, Frequency
Academic Editor : Dr Hans Raj
Conflict of Interest : None declared
Acknowledgements/Funding : Author are thankful to Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641003 for the support provided for conducting field Experiment
Author Contribution : First author post graduate research work

With increasing demand and decreasing supplies of good quality water there is an increasing tendency among the farmers to use saline water for irrigation. Salinity range of ground water used for irrigation in most of the districts of Tamil Nadu is 1 to 8 dS m–1. In this context, the proper use of saline irrigation water, without development of salinity is the most important challenging task and herein lies the value of scientific knowledge on the use of saline water in agriculture. Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) or lady’s finger, commonly known as ‘Bhendi’ in India is one of the most important vegetables grown throughout the tropics and warmer parts of the temperate zone. Average productivity for okra is 9.5 t ha-1. Okra is sensitive to salinity; it was selected and used as a test crop to assess the effect of saline water through drip irrigation on Plant growth parameters. Hence a study was formulated to find the effect of irrigation frequency and quantity on growth parameter and yield of okra under drip irrigation with moderate saline ground water. The plant growth components like plant height, inter nodal length, fruit length, total number of fruits, and yield particulars were collected under different treatment combinations of irrigation frequency and irrigation quantity of saline water applied were collected and analyzed. Maximum plant height of 168.7 cm, Internodal length of 15.6 cm, fruit length of 15.7 cm, number of fruits 12.3, and hight yields of 12.07 t/ha was observed under twice a day irrigation with 140 per cent CWN treatment (F4Q3). The lower salt accumulation in the root zone of F4Q3 treatment resulted in higher plant height internodal length, fruit length, number of fruits and highest yield. Drip irrigation twice a day with 140 per cent CWN was found to be the best combination of frequency and quantity of irrigation by maintaining less salt accumulation in the root zone.

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