Response of drip irrigated Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) in different irrigation levels and frequencies at field level

Abstract

Abstract:Geometric increase in population coupled with rapid urbanization, industrialization and agricultural development are causing increased pressure on global water resources. Agriculture is the largest consumer of fresh water resources, thus the scope of enhancing water productivity in agriculture is taken to be the priority area of research. The right amount and frequency of irrigation is essential for optimum use of limited water resources for crop production as well as management. A field experiment with split plot design was carried out during November to February 2015-16 at PFDC (Precision Farming Development Centre), Water Technology Centre, IARI, New Delhi to study the effect of different irrigation levels and frequencies on Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) under drip irrigation. The experiment included three levels of irrigation frequencies: N 1 (once every day), N 2 (once every 2 days) and N 3 (once every 3 days) with different irrigation levels of 100, 80 and 60 % of crop evapotranspiration (ET c ). Results revealed that drip irrigation frequency significantly (p<0.05) affected the broccoli yield. The maximum yield (24.46±0.18 t/ha) was obtained with 80% of ET c with once in 2 days irrigation followed by 100% of ET c with once in 2 days. Lowest yield (16.53±0.1 t/ha) was obtained at 60% of ET c at once in 3 days irrigation. Overall, it was observed that irrigation on 80% of ET c with once in two days is an appropriate cycle for optimum yield of broccoli.

Soil water dynamics and yield response of broccoli (Brassica oleracea) under drip irrigation with different irrigation frequency

“…Lowest yield (12680 kg/ha in 2019-20 and 12830 kg/ha in 2020-21) was obtained at I 4 S. Similarly, the higher marketable yield (13960 kg/ha in 2019-20 and 14120 kg/ha in 2020-21) was found with I 2 SS treatment and lowest marketable yield was found at I 4 S (Table 1). These results are in close conformity with Kumari et al (2018) who found that irrigation after one day at 0.8 ET c showed a significantly higher total yield of broccoli. The significantly higher IWUE and FUE were recorded under I 2 SS and lowest was obtained in the treatment I 4 S during both seasons.…”

“…When the field is irrigated less frequently, water can permeate deeper levels, whereas more frequent irrigations keep water in the upper layers (Chaharmahali et al 2022). On the basis of maximum yield of broccoli, Kumari et al (2018) also predicted the optimum moisture content under once in two days irrigation frequency with 80% of ET c . The soil water content is one of the most important factors which has direct impact on fruit yield (Ismail et al 2007).…”

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

“…All these contributory factors might have stimulated enhanced physiological processes, active cell division and photosynthetic activities of plants [ 13 ]. The dramatic decline in curd yield in drip irrigation at 0.6 ETc was mainly due to acute soil water stress-causing reverse osmosis in plants and was unable to replenish the crop water requirement [ 38 , 39 ]. Surface irrigation, on the other hand, rendered extensive wetting zone as water spreading over the large area due to high hydraulic gradient causing higher soil evaporation, excessive losses of water and nutrients in deep percolation, chocking of soil aeration in first few days immediately after irrigation, higher soil water stress between two successive irrigation and in some critical growth period and reduced nutrient availability due to heavy irrigation load which ultimately proved to be detrimental for a drastic reduction of crop growth and yield [ 36 ].…”

Impact of biostimulants based amino acids and irrigation frequency on agro-physiological characteristics and productivity of broccoli plants

“…Approximately 90% of it is water, 2% is dietary fibre, 3% is protein, 5% is carbs, antioxidants, phytochemicals, vitamins A, B, and C, as well as minerals (Rodrigues et al, 2013). According to Kumari et al (2018), broccoli is susceptible to water stress and needs up to 4.1 mm of water per day. Due to the population's fast development, which needs increased food production and puts strain on these resources, there are growing worries about the world's threatened water and land resources (Islam and Mollah, 2014).…”