Effect of drip irrigation levels and fertigation on cucumber (Cucumis sativus) cultivars under protected cultivation

Abstract

An experiment was conducted during 2010-11 and 2011-12 in poly-house at Niche area excellence farm,  Bikaner to study the effect of drip irrigation levels and fertigation levels on plant height, fruit yield and water use of  cucumber (Cucumis sativus). The treatments consists of three drip irrigation schedules viz. 40, 60 and 80% ETc and  three fertigation levels viz. 75%, 100% and 125% recommended dose of fertilizers. The experiment was conducted  in randomized block design and replicated thrice. The study indicated that there was increase in plant height, fruit  /plant and fruit yield with increase in irrigation levels from 40% to 80% ETc but the water use efficiency decreases  from increasing the irrigation levels. Highest fruit yield of 625 q/ha was recorded with 80% ETc, which was at par  with 60% ETc (614 q/ha). Similarly, nutrients uptake increases with higher levels of irrigation and highest N, Pand K  uptake of 112.5, 34.3 and 140.0 kg/ha, respectively was recorded at 80% ETc. However, nutrient use efficiency was  higher in 40% ETc and control i.e., surface irrigation. The study further indicated that plant height, fruit /plant, fruit  yield and water use efficiency was also increase with increasing the fertigation levels from 75% to 125%  recommended dose (RD) of fertilizer. Fertigation with 125% recommended level of fertilizer gave highest N, P, K  uptake of 116.8, 35.8 and 148.6 kg/ha, respectively. However, 75% RD recorded the highest nutrient use efficiency.