Crop and water productivity and profitability of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) under gravity drip irrigation with mulching condition in a humid sub-tropical climate

Abstract

Strategic irrigation planning and soil water conservation measure can be rewarding for increasing agricultural productivity in a humid subtropical climatic environment. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate broccoli yield response to crop water productivity (CWP), irrigation water productivity (IWP) and economics under varied irrigation regimes and mulching. Four levels of irrigation: surface irrigation at 1.0 IW/CPE (irrigation water to cumulative pan evaporation, I1), drip irrigation at 0.6 (I2), 0.8 (I3) and 1.0 (I4) of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and three mulches: none (M0), black polythene mulch (BPM, M1) and paddy straw mulch (PSM, M2) were examined. Among these treatments I3M1 produced the higher yield (19.17 t ha-1), CWP, IWP and maximum benefit-cost ratio (BCR), being almost competitive with I3M1. Under scarcity of water, I2M1 was an alternative. Drip irrigation could save 21.2–52.7% water over surface irrigation which accommodated 17.1 to 53.3% additional area under irrigation. Yield response factor and water-yield production function suggested the potential yield decrease in relation to increased deficit irrigation. However, a deficit drip irrigation scheduling with 0.8 ETc at a 3-day interval is optimum for increased curd yield, water productivity and economics of broccoli.

Alternative Techniques of Irrigation Water Management for Improving Crop Water Productivity

“…According to Biswas et al [68], the higher crop water productivity (59.2 kg m -3 ) was obtained from the 50% water application under polyethylene mulch using drip irrigation. Patra et al [69] also reported that the maximum crop water productivity (11.49 kg m -3 ) was observed from the combination of drip irrigation, deficit irrigation and black plastic mulch (BPM) on broccoli crops (Figure 6). The minimum irrigation water level is advisable due to reduced deep percolation and increased water use from the crop root zone of the soil.…”

“…The following graphical interpretation is developed based on the data obtained from Tufa et al [66]. Several researchers have recommended the use of deficit irrigation with mulching than non-mulching and conventional systems in the area of water scarcity [67,68,69]. On the other hand, the combination of drip irrigation and deficit irrigation with mulch had a significant value for the improvement of crop water productivity.…”

“…The minimum irrigation water level is advisable due to reduced deep percolation and increased water use from the crop root zone of the soil. The following graphical explanation is developed using the data from Patra et al [69]. Several scholars have investigated different furrow irrigation techniques with mulch on different crops and environments [70,71,72,73].…”

Enhancing Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) Growth, Yield and Water Productivity through Irrigation and Mulching Techniques in Local Climate

“…Despite acknowledging the potential of efficient irrigation and mulching, research concerning their combined effects on broccoli growth, yield, and water productivity still needs to be completed. Patra et al [15], Yasmin et al [16], and Kumari et al [17] studies underscore the importance of irrigation methods and mulching materials in influencing these outcomes. This highlights the intricate interplay of factors affecting broccoli responses and emphasizes the significance of the proposed research.…”

Effect of Planting Geometry on Growth, Water Productivity, and Fruit Quality of Tomatoes under Different Soil Moisture Regimes

“…Moreover, the evapotranspiration rate of a crop is comparable to its requirement for water, which is the quantity of water the crop requires to replace the loss of water through evapotranspiration [5]. Therefore, irrigation water management is of the utmost importance [6] since water application is the most important factor determining the sustainability of agricultural cropping systems. Due to environmental degradation and climate change, freshwater is becoming increasingly scarce [7].…”