Evaluating the Irrigation Regimes and Fertigation Schedule of Red Gram (Co (Rg) - 7) under Drip Irrigation System

Red gram occupies a unique position in Indian agriculture by constituting the regular protein supplier to the average Indian diet. Field experiments were carried out to evaluate the effect of different irrigation regimes of drip irrigation on red gram under two different of methods sowing viz., dibbling and transplanting condition during Kharif seasons of 2013 and 2014 at AICRP on Irrigation Water management Research block, Department of Agronomy, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai. The experimental soil is clay loam in texture with low N, medium P and K content. The treatments consistst of drip irrigation at three pan evaporation ratios (40, 60 and 80 per cent PE) under two different methods of planting (dibbling and transplanting) with surface irrigation with conventional sowing and transplanting (Totally two) as a control. The study was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with thrice replication. The Recommended Dose Fertilizer (RDF) followed was 25:50:25 kg’s NPK /ha and soil application of sulphur as basal @ 20 kg/ha was common to all the treatments. Fertigation was scheduled once in a week from 15 to 90 DAS. Seedlings were raised in protrays and Poly bag single: 6x4” (200) planted at 28 days (Second crop). The lateral spacing was followed was 1.5 m. The results revealed that conventional sowing (dippling) under drip irrigation with 60 percent PE and fertigation of recommended dose of fertilizer recorded significantly higher growth, yield attributes and yield. This treatment was on par with transplanting of red gram under drip irrigation at same irrigation level recommended dose of fertilizer. However, higher net income and B: C ratio was registered in conventional sowing under drip irrigation due to cost involved in raising nursery and transplanting. The conventional sowing under drip irrigation recorded water saving of 21 per cent and transplanting under irrigation recorded water saving of 36 per cent. The highest water use efficiency was observed in drip irrigation at 40 per cent PE level.