M Sc

The investigation entitled “Micro irrigation and mulching for yield
optimization of tomato in rain shelter” was carried out during February-May 2021to
evaluate the efficacy of micro irrigation and mulching on the growth, yield and
economics of tomato in rain shelter.
The experiment was laid out in split plot design with five types of micro
irrigation as main plot treatments and two mulching materials as sub plot treatments
with four replications. The main plot treatments were i 1 (surface drip irrigation), i 2
(rain hose irrigation), i 3 (sub surface drip irrigation at 10 cm), i 4 (sub surface drip
irrigation at 15 cm) and i 5 (sub surface drip irrigation at 20 cm). The sub plot
treatments were m 1 (no mulch) and m 2 (organic mulch). Organic mulch (dry banana
leaves) @ 10 t ha -1 was applied as per the treatments. The tomato variety Vellayani
Vijai was used for the study.
The growth attributes of tomato were favourably influenced by the types of
micro irrigation and mulching. Taller plants were observed in sub surface drip
irrigation (SSDI) at 10 cm depth throughout the growth stages and it was comparable
with SSDI at 15 cm depth and 20 cm depth at 90 DAT and at harvest. The number of
branches per plant was higher in SSDI at 10 cm depth at 50 per cent flowering (8.01)
and at harvest (13.61) and was on par with SSDI at 15 cm depth and SSDI at 20 cm
depth at harvest. The different types of micro irrigation did not had any significant
influence on days to 50 per cent flowering and leaf area index at 50 per cent
flowering. The root shoot ratio was higher for SSDI at 10 cm depth (0.27) and was
statistically on par with SSDI at 15 cm depth. The highest dry matter production was
recorded for SSDI at 10 cm depth (4751 kg ha -1 ) and was significantly superior to rest
of the treatments. Between mulches, organic mulch significantly increased the growth
attributes of tomato except days to 50 per cent flowering. The combination of SSDI at
10 cm depth with organic mulch recorded significantly higher dry matter production
(4835 kg ha -1 ) at harvest.
The root parameters viz., root depth and root volume were significantly higher for
SSDI at 20 cm depth (46.46 cm) and SSDI at 10 cm depth (27.06 cm 3 ), respectively.Between mulches, organic mulch recorded higher root depth (40.39 cm) and root
volume (22.78 cm 3 ) compared to treatment without mulch.
The types of micro irrigation and mulching had significant influence on the
yield attributes of tomato. The number of fruits per plant was significantly higher for
SSDI at 10 cm depth (35.69). The average fruit weight (43.60 g) was higher for SSDI
at 10 cm depth was on par with SSDI at 15 cm depth. The fruit yield per plant (1.41 kg)
and fruit yield m -2 (3.44 kg) were significantly higher for SSDI at 10 cm depth.
Between organic mulch and no mulch, organic mulching recorded significantly higher
number of fruits per plant (31.37), average fruit weight (39.69 g), fruit yield per plant
(1.24 kg) and fruit yield m -2 (2.96 kg) than without mulch. The combination of SSDI
at 10 cm depth along with organic mulch produced significantly higher fruit yield per
plant (1.44 kg) and fruit yield m -2 (3.54 kg).
Micro irrigation, mulching or their interaction did not influence the quality
attributes of the tomato. The uptake of N (59.09 kg ha -1 ), P (21.43 kg ha -1 ), K (85.94
kg ha -1 ) were higher for the SSDI at 10 cm depth. Between mulches, organic mulch
obtained higher uptake of N, P and K compared to no mulch. The combination of SSDI
at 10 cm depth with organic mulch registered the highest uptake of N (61.26 kg ha -1 ) and
P (22.73 kg ha -1 ).The available N status of soil was higher in rain hose irrigation
(229.72 kg ha -1 ) and was on par with surface drip irrigation. Available K and P were
not significantly influenced by the types of micro irrigation. Between mulches, the
higher available N, P and K were recorded in the treatment with organic mulch.
Water requirement was the same for all the irrigation treatments, where SSDI at
10 cm depth recorded significantly higher field water use efficiency (7.47 kg m -3 ) and
water productivity (3.80 kg m -3 ). Between mulches, organic mulch recorded the highest
field water use efficiency (6.42 kg m -3 ) and water productivity (3.15 kg m -3 ). The
combination of SSDI at 10 cm depth with organic mulch obtained significantly higher
field water use efficiency (7.67 kg m -3 ). SSDI at 10 cm depth along with organic mulch
recorded significantly higher net returns (₹ 5.43 lakhs ha -1 ) and benefit cost ratio (2.04).The present investigation revealed that SSDI can be successfully adopted for
tomato cultivation. Combination of SSDI 10 cm depth with organic mulch (dry banana
leaves) @ 10t ha -1 can be recommended for getting higher yield, water use efficiency
and economics in tomato.