Standardization of Irrigation and Fertigation Requirement for Snake Gourd under Rain Shelter

Aim: The study entitled “standardization of irrigation and fertigation requirement for snake gourd under rain shelter” was taken up to standardize the irrigation and fertigation requirement of snake gourd (Trichosanthes cucumerina) of Manusree variety under rain shelter.

Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was performed in instructional farm of PFDC, KCAET, Tavanur, Kerala, between October 2020 and January 2021.

Methodology: Penman Monteith method was used for the determination of crop water requirement and irrigation scheduling. There were three levels of irrigation i.e., T1 – 60%, T2 – 80% and T3 – 100% of ETc and three levels of fertigation viz: R1 – 100%, R2 – 125% and R3- 150% of recommended dose of fertilizer. Different crop and soil parameters and yield is noted in each bed.

Results: The treatment T3R3 showed comparatively better performance in yield and other growth characteristics as compared to the other treatment. These plants yield longer fruits and bloomed early compared to other fertigation levels. The cultivation is found to be feasible since the benefit cost ratio is greater than one. The result of the study can be used as a guide for the farmers to plan their irrigation and cropping pattern. Also the result can be extrapolated to the future to analyse the trends in future crop water demands.

Conclusion: The farming can run feasibly if we follow precision farming. Through this study we got that the optimum water content of snake gourd is 100%of Etc and 150% fertigation.