Studying the feasibility of using microirrigation systems for vegetable production in a canal command area

Field investigations were carried out for 3 years with the aim of studying the feasibility of using microsprinkler and drip irrigation systems for vegetable production in a canal command area. These systems were compared with the existing flood irrigation method for onion production with four irrigation levels, viz. 0.60, 0.80, 1.00 and 1.20 of irrigation water to cumulative pan evaporation ratio (IW/CPE). Microsprinkler and drip irrigation systems were also compared with fertigation rate of 100 (50:25:25 NPK), 150 (75:37.5:37.5 NPK) and 200 (100: 50: 50 NPK) kg ha⁻¹. Microirrigation systems resulted in higher onion yield and greater profitability than surface irrigation at each irrigation schedule. However, microsprinklers indicated better economics than a drip irrigation system. Microsprinkler, drip and surface irrigation system with 1.20 IW/CPE of irrigation produced maximum crop yields of 34.34, 33.10 and 22.57 t ha⁻¹, respectively. Increased crop yield with microsprinkler and drip irrigation is the factor behind higher profitability than existing surface irrigation. Reduction in nutrient application by 25% in fertigation from the dose of flood irrigation did not reduce yield and net returns significantly. But net return was significantly higher in microsprinkler (Rs 67 334 ha⁻¹) than drip (Rs 59 930 ha⁻¹) fertigation. The overall results of the present study favoured microsprinkler over existing irrigation methods for onion production in a canal command area with higher profit under limited available surface water. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.