Effect of Irrigation Levels and Straw Mulching on Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Papaya under Drip Irrigation System
Baljeet Singh Gaat
Department of Soil & Water Engineering, CCS HAU, Hisar, India.
Mukesh Kumar
SWE, CCS HAU, Hisar, India.
Ram Naresh
SWE, CCS HAU, Hisar, India.
Suresh Kumar
DDUCE-OF, CCS HAU, Hisar, India.
Kapil
DES (Agril Engg), KVK, Yamunanagar, CCSHAU, Hisar, India.
Narender Kumar
DES (Agril Engg), KVK, Sirsa, CCSHAU, Hisar, India.
Santosh Rani
Department of Soil & Water Engineering, CCS HAU, Hisar, India.
Raj Kumar *
Department of Soil & Water Engineering, CCS HAU, Hisar, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is a significant fruit crop cultivated worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions. However, its cultivation is often constrained by limited water availability and soil moisture stress, which may significantly affect its yield and quality. This study aimed to explore the effects of irrigation levels and straw mulch on the growth and yield of papaya under a drip irrigation system. The experiment encompassed six treatments: three different irrigation levels (100%, 75%, and 50% of crop water requirement) and two mulch levels (straw mulching and no mulch). The effect of mulch levels on plant growth, yield, and water use efficiency was statistically significant. The results revealed that applying 100% of crop water requirement along with straw mulch resulted in the maximum plant height, stem girth, crown diameter, and yield compared to the no mulch treatment. The study also evaluated irrigation water use efficiency, an essential aspect of sustainable farming practices. The results indicated that the maximum irrigation water use efficiency (58.47 kg m-3) was recorded when 50% of the crop water requirement was met alongside straw mulch. Conversely, the minimum irrigation water use efficiency was observed when 100% of the crop water requirement was completed without any mulch under the drip irrigation system.
Keywords: Mulching, irrigation levels, irrigation water use efficiency, drip irrigation, papaya