Crop geometry studies under different methods of irrigation in oriental pickling melon var. saubhagya

Abstract

The present investigation on "Crop geometry studies under different methods of irrigation in oriental pickling melon variety Saubhagya (Cucumis melo var. conomon)" was conducted at the Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Kerala agricultural university, Vellanikara, Thrissur during 2002 - 2003. The field experiment was conducted for two consecutive seasons in the summer rice fallows of the Agricultural Research Station, Mannuthy, Thrissur during December, 2002- April, 2003. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with two methods of irrigation (drip irrigation @125 Ep and conventional method @ 45 I pit -I) in the main plot and seven spacings (2.0 x 0.3 m, 2.0 x 0.45 m, 1.5 x 0.3 m, 1.5 x 0.45 m, 1.0 x 0.3 111, 1.0 x 0.45 m and 2.0 x1.5 m) in subplot. The short duration and less vigorously growing variety Saubhagya sown during the month of December had less vegetative growth, earliness and high productivity (19.40 t ha') than February sown crop (17.21 t ha"). None of the vegetative, flower, fruit and yield characters were significantly influenced by the two methods of irrigation. However, in the drip irrigation there was saving of 108.5 to 135.2 per cent of water per cropping period, which can be used for irrigating 1.09 to 1.35 ha of additional land for cultivation of the variety. The effects of various spacings on vegetative growth and productivity were significant in both the crops. The crop in closer spacing (1.0 x 0.30 n,Ywas earliest to harvest the first fruit. Average fruit weight was found maximum at a closer spacing of 1.0 x 0.45 111, which was on par with 1.0 x 0.30 m. The closest spacing of 1.0 x 0.30 m accommodating 33,333 plants ha" yielded maximum fruits (33.93 t ha-I for December sown crop). This was 66 per cent more than that of the yield from the recommended spacing of 2.0 x 1.5 m. The next best spacing were 1.0 x 0.45 m and 1.5 x 0.45 m with productivity of 25.38 t ha" and 20.58 t ha-I, respectively. In February sown crop, production was maximum at 1.0 x 0.45 m (25.12 t ha"), which also accounted for maximum number of fruits plant" and

yield plant". Interaction effects were not significant for majority of economic characters. Maximum benefit cost ratio (1.40) was shared by hSs and II S6. In hSs plants were spaced at a closer spacing of 1.0 x 0.30 m (accommodating 33,333 plants ha') under conventional method of irrigation. This treatment can be followed where family labour is utilized for cultivation of the variety Saubhagya. The treatment with spacing of 1.0 x 0.45 m under drip irrigation can also be suggested for the variety where there is water scarcity and the farmers are capital rich.