Effect of micro-sprinkler system on input use efficiency, labour cost and economic viability in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) seedling production

B KRISHNA RAO; C CHANDRASEKARARAO; M ANURADHA; V C PANDE

doi:10.56093/ijas.v84i4.39451

Authors

B KRISHNA RAO Central Tobacco Research Institute, Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh 533 105
C CHANDRASEKARARAO Central Tobacco Research Institute, Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh 533 105
M ANURADHA Central Tobacco Research Institute, Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh 533 105
V C PANDE Central Tobacco Research Institute, Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh 533 105

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijas.v84i4.39451

Keywords:

Economic viability, Labour, Micro-sprinklers, N, P, K uptake, Tobacco seedlings, Water saving

Abstract

To improve the water and nutrient use efficiency and also to reduce the labour cost in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) nursery raising, experiment on micro sprinklers for tobacco nurseries was conducted at CTRI Nursery block, Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh during 2007 and 2008. From the results of the experiment, it is concluded that the optimum spacing between laterals is 2.5-3.0 m and the spacing between micro sprinklers is 2.5–3.0 m and for this spacing 4 sprinklers are required for irrigating two tobacco nursery beds. The micro sprinkler system saves 24% and 35% of irrigation water at nursery bed level and at total system level respectively in comparison to rose can watering system. Micro sprinklers increases the N, P, K concentrations of the total plant to an extent of 14%, 10%, 11% and uptake per unit area to an extent of 50%, 45%, 47% respectively over the rose can watering. Micro sprinklers increases the weight, height, root volume and number of transplantable seedlings by 19%, 16%, 31%, 18% respectively over the rose can watering. Installing micro sprinkler irrigation system saves an amount of ` 60 000/ha towards labour. Micro sprinkler system is an economically viable alternate to rose can watering and gives net present worth of ₹ 94 265/ha/year with a benefit cost ratio of 2.37 at 2011 prices.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Ahmed A K, Cresswell G C and Haigh A M. 2000. Comparison of sub-irrigation and overhead irrigation of tomato and lettuce seedlings. Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology 75(3): 350–4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14620316.2000.11511249

Allen R G, Pereira L S, Raes D and Smith M. 1998. Crop evapotranspiration-guidelines for computing crop water requirements. FAO Irrigation Drainage Paper 56, FAO, Rome, Italy.

Doorenbos J and Pruitt W O. 1977. Crop water requirement. Irrigation Drainage Paper No 24 (revised), FAO, Rome, Italy.

Jackson M L. 1967. Soil Chemical Analysis, p 498. Prentice-Hall of India Private Limited, New Delhi.

Janat M. 2007. Efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer for potato under fertigation utilizing a nitrogen tracer technique. Communications of Soil Science Plant Analysis 38(17/18): 2401–22. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00103620701588775

Kumar Satyendra, Singh R, Nangare D D and Gupta R K. 2008. Optimization of irrigation for potato with microsprinkler. Journal of Agricultural Engineering 45(3): 34–7

Klimek A, Rolbiecki S, Rolbiecki R, Hilszczañska D and Malczyk

P. 2008. Impact of chosen bare root nursery practices in scots pine seedling quality and soil mites (Acari). Polish Journal of Environmental Studies 17(2): 247–55.

Kumar Satyendra, Ram Asrey, Mandal G and Singh R. 2009. Micro sprinkler, drip and furrow irrigation for potato cultivation in semiarid environment. Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences 79 (3): 165–9.

Neelam Patel and Rajput T B S. 2009. Effect of subsurface drip Irrigation on onion yield. Irrigation Science 27 (2): 97–108. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00271-008-0125-0

Patel D K, Patel B M, Patel P T, Patel D M and Patel B J. 2012. Influence of irrigation methods along with nitrogen and potash management on yield and nutrient uptake by potato. Agricultural Science Digest 32(1): 38–42.

Rajput T B S and Patel Neelam. 2007. Micro irrigation manual. WTC, IARI, New Delhi, pp 84.

Rank H D. 2007. Summer groundnut crop performance and economics under micro irrigation at various water application levels. Legume Research 30 (4): 261–5.

Rao S S, Singh Y V, Regar P L and Chand K. 2010. Effect of micro-irrigation on productivity and water use of cumin (Cuminum cyminum) at varying fertility levels, Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences 80 (6): 507–11.

Sannibabu M, Singh K D and Krishnmurthy V. 2007. Proceedings of 10th Inter Regional Conference on Water Environment.

Sankar V, Lawande K E and Tripathi P C. 2008. Effect of micro irrigation on growth, yield and water use efficiency of onion (Allium cepa) under western Maharastra conditions. Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences 78 (7): 584–8.

Sarkar S, Goswami S B, Mallick S and Nanda M K. 2008. Different indices to characterize water use pattern of micro-sprinkler irrigated onion (Allium cepa L.). Agricultural Water Management 95 (5): 625–32. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2008.01.002

Sasani G V, Patel C K, Patel R N and Patel S H. 2006. Efficient use of water and fertilizers through drip fertigation in potato. Potato Journal 33(3-4) : 131–3.

Singh A K, Chandra P and Srivastava R. 2010. Response of micro- irrigation and fertigation on high-value vegetable crops under control conditions. Indian Journal of Horticulture 67(3): 418– 20.

Singh A K, Roy A K and Kaur D P. 2007. Effect of irrigation and NPK on nutrient uptake pattern and qualitative parameters in winter maize + potato intercropping system. International Journal of Agricultural Sciences 3(1): 199–201.

Sivanappan R K. 1994. Prospects of micro-irrigation in India. Irrigation and Drainage Systems 8(1): 49–58. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00880798

Thiyagarajan G, Ranghaswami M V, Rajakumar D and Kumaraperumal R. 2010. Deficit irrigation effects on groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) with micro-sprinklers. Madras Agricultural Journal 97 (1-3): 40–2. DOI: https://doi.org/10.29321/MAJ.10.100338

TIM. 1977. Individual/simultaneous determination of nitrogen and/or phosphorus in triacid digests. Technicon Industrial Method. W B Tary Town, New York, pp 334–74

Tisdale S L, Nelson W L and Beaton J D. 1985. Soil Fertility and Fertilizers, 4th Edn. The McMillan Co, New York.

Tobacco Board. 2012. Annual Report, 2011-12. Tobacco Board, Government of India, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, p 198.