Abstract:
The study entitled ―standardization of irrigation and fertigation requirement for snake
gourd under rain shelter‖ was taken up to standardize the irrigation and fertigation requirement
of snake gourd under rain shelter. Snake gourd (Trichosanthes cucumerina) of Manusree variety
was used for the experiment. The experiment was performed in instructional farm of PFDC,
KCAET, Tavanur, Kerala. Penman Monteith method was used for the determination of crop
water requirement and irrigation scheduling. Fertigation requirement was taken from KVK,
Tavanur.
There were three levels of irrigation i.e., T1 – 60%, T2 – 80% and T3 – 100% of ETc and
three levels of fertigation viz: R1 – 100%, R2 – 125% and R3- 150% of recommended dose of
fertilizer. Crop parameters such as plant height, number of leaves, stem girth and soil parameters
like soil temperature, soil pH, soil moisture and yield were noted. The treatment T3R3 (irrigation
100% of ETc and fertigation 150% of RDF) showed comparatively better performance in yield
and other growth characteristics as compared to the other treatment. These plants yield longer
fruits and bloomed early compared to other fertigation levels.
The bed with treatment T3R3 had the optimum soil condition. The average soil pH of the
bed was 6.8-7.1 and average soil temperature was 35.7-36.4 0 C. The available moisture on the
bed is highly depends on the amount and frequency of irrigation, so the beds with 100%
irrigation shows the maximum moisture content.
The cultivation is found to be feasible since the benefit cost ratio is greater than one. The
total cost of cultivation is calculated as 4329 rupees and the income we got is approximately
6703 rupees.
The result of the study can be used as a guide for the farmers to plan their irrigation and
cropping pattern. Also the result can be extrapolated to the future to analyse the trends in future
crop water demands.
