Effect of drip irrigation on productivity and water-use efficiency of hybrid cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) in Typic Haplusterts

Abstract

On-farm trial was carried out during 2001–03 to find out the effect of drip irrigation on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) productivity and water-use efficiency in Kalmeshwar Tehsil, Nagpur District. Application of water to hybrid cotton through drip resulted in significantly higher seed cotton yield than the surface methods. The yield advantage due to different irrigation schedules through drip based on ETc was 31% over the broad bed furrow system and 59% over farmer’s practice (flood irrigation method), while saving of irrigation water was 44 and 57 % respectively. Among the irrigation schedules through drip, 0.6 evapo transpiration gave significantly higher seed cotton yield than 0.8 and 1.0 evapo transpiration, whereas the later two were at par with each other. Irrigation scheduling in hybrid cotton through drip based on 0.6 evapo transpiration enhanced seed cotton yield by 37% over broad bed furrow and 72% over the farmer’s practice. The water-use efficiency with drip-irrigated cotton was 28–58% higher than broad bed furrow and 45–68% higher than the flood method of irrigation.