STANDARDIZATION OF IRRIGATION AND FERTIGATION REQUIREMENT FOR SNAKE GOURD UNDER RAIN SHELTER

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.