Effect of micro-irrigation on productivity and water use of cumin (Cuminum cyminum) at varying fertility levels

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Pali-Marwar to study the response of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) to variable irrigation through micro-sprinkler, organic manure and nitrogen under semi-arid environment. Irrigation through microsprinkler at 0.8 IW/CPE being on par a with 1.0 IW/CPE, recorded significantly the highest plant height (32.5 cm), umbles/plant (22.4), seed weight (2.99 g/plant), dry matter (5.39 g/plant) and seed yield (678 kg/ha) of the cumin on pooled basis. The maximum irrigation water productivity was recorded at 0.8 IW/CPE ratio where 40 mm less irrigation water was applied indicating that water was utilized efficiently under this irrigation schedule as compared to 1.0 IW/ CPE ratio (258 mm). Farmyard manure @ 10 tonnes/ha increased cumin seed yield significantly by 12.5% (613 kg/ha) over control (546 kg/ha) and water productivity to 0.313 kg/m3 from 0.277 kg/m3. Nitrogen at 40 kg/ha being at par with 60 kg/ha, significantly increased mean cumin seed yield by 30.4% over control (484 kg/ha). Further, at 0.8 IW/ CPE ratio a dose of 37 kg N/ha was computed as economic optimum under the application of 10 tonnes/ha FYM and at this level 752 kg/ha cumin seed yield with water productivity of 0.345 kg/m3 was predicted.Net returns and benefit : cost ratio were the highest with irrigation at 0.8 IW/CPE (Rs 45 059 and 3.84, respectively).