Feasibility of micro-sprinklers in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) orchards grown on light textured soils of central India

Abstract

An experiment conducted in newly planted pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) to evaluate feasibility of micro-sprinklers against drip and improved basin irrigation in light textured soils revealed that cumulative irrigation and surface wetting zone was maximum under micro-sprinklers, while under basin and drip systems, soil moisture distribution was better in horizontal and vertical directions. Root growth parameters (RMD and RLD values) were higher in drip followed by basin system of irrigation. This facilitated maximum uptake of leaf P (0.155 %) and K (0.78 %) in basin, whereas, maximum leaf content of Ca (2.00%), Cu (97.5 ppm) and Mn (79.8 ppm) was recorded under drip system of irrigation. This was reflected in vigorous growth of pomegranate plants in basin system of irrigation. Maximum fruit yield was produced in basin (8.747 kg plant-1) followed by drip (7.248 kg plant-1), which was 413.6% and 325.6% higher than that obtained under micro-jet 180o irrigation systems, respectively. Fruit yield based water use efficiency (WUE) was higher in drip (0.442) than basin (0.420) system of irrigation. Results indicated that micro-sprinkler irrigation system is not beneficial in arid to semi-arid tropical climate, and drip system results in highest WUE. Improved double ring basin proved to be the most efficient in areas having enough water availability.