Effect of drip irrigation scheduling and mulching on plant growth, physiology, yield, water use efficiency and weed growth in spring-summer okra (Abelmoschus esculents Muench)

Abstract

Spring summer okra requires high and frequent application
of water due to high evapo-transpiration demand. Deficit
irrigation (supply less water than required) coupled with
mulching is good agricultural practice to enhance water use
efficiency in vegetable crops. In this study, three drip
irrigation scheduling and two types mulches were evaluated
with surface irrigation and without mulch. Maximum soil
moisture content of 12.2% and 13.5% was reported under
organic mulch, respectively at 20 and 30 cm depth. Plants
grown under organic and black-silver mulch have registered
52.5% and 35% higher chlorophyll content than control.
Maximum stomatal conductance was reported with 100%
PE + black-silver mulching (956.05 mmole/m2/sec).
Significantly higher fruit yield (555.42 g/plant and 112.05 q/
ha) was observed with drip irrigation at 100% PE, whereas
in mulches, it was maximum under organic mulch (585.13 g/
plant and 112.30 q/ha). As far as interaction of irrigation x
mulch was concerned, the maximum yield of 684 g/plant and
125.32 q/ha was reported with drip irrigation 100% PE +
organic mulch, which was 64.8% higher in yield with 15.2%
water saving than the control.