Effect of Drip Irrigation System and Black Polythene on the Growth, Yield and Quality of Sapota (<i>Achras sapota </i>Linn)

Abstract

Agricultural climatic conditions of Chhattisgarh are suitable for Sapota production. Minimum level of humidity in summer season affects the quality of fruits in this region. Therefore, quantity of irrigation affects the productivity and quality in summer season. Present experiment was conducted at Plasticulture Development Center, Horticulture Department, Indira Gandhi Agriculture University, Raipur from 1999 to 2002. Effect of irrigation system was observed on growth, yield and quality. Four levels of irrigation i.e. (40%), (60%), (80%) and (100%) combined treatment with and without pal war was used in whole experiment,

now irrigation method was used in whole experiment, flow irrigation method was used as a control treatment.Whole field was divided in to 10 treatments with randomized block design (RBD). Black polythene(50 micron) was used as a palwar. It was revealed from the experiment that growth, development, yield and quality of Sapota was found significantly high with drip irrigation method along with black polythene palwar when compared with controlled treatment. Water utilization capacity was highest with 0.4 volume (40%) water with black polythene palwar. In this way irrigation uniformity was 83.38 to 98.95 per cent. From the point of view of weed control it was found maximum 90.12% in 0.6 volume (60% water) and black polythene and maximum water (1217.23 mm) was used in controlled treatment. Plant height (6.75 m), stem girth stem (47.40 cm) and number of fruits per plant (415.12) were maximum with 0.6 volume (60% water) and black polythene palwar. In the same way from the point of view of high quality total soluble element, acidity and sugar were also more with 0.6 volume treatment (60%) water as compared to controlled treatment. Maximum yield (40.32 q/ha) was obtained with 0.6 volume (60%) water, which was maximum when compared with controlled treatment.