Deficit-irrigation management and agri-horti system compatibility using drip for enhancing water-use efficiency and profitability in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea)

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out in a split-plot design during the winter (rabi) season of 2020 at New Delhi, to evaluate the effect of different agri-horti system (AHS), viz. moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.), phalsa (Grewia asiatica L.), karonda or Carandas plum (Carissa carandas L.), aonla Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica L.) and guava (Psidium guajava L.) and 3 deficit-irrigation scheduling (DIS), viz. rainfed, 0.4 irrigation water: cumula- tive pan evaporation (IW : CPE) ratio and 0.6 IW : CPE ratio on Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. & Coss.]. The yield attributes and yield of Indian mustard were significantly influenced by AHS under various deficit irrigation scheduling (DIS). Significantly higher seed yield (1,939 kg/ha), stover yield (6,067 kg/ha), and biological yield (8143 kg/ha) were recorded under moringa-based AHS. In case of DIS, 0.6 IW : CPE resulted in the maxi- mum yield followed by 0.4 IW : CPE and rainfed. The maximum net returns were obtained in case of (`52,516/ha) 0.6 IW : CPE. The best monetary efficiency was achieved with the 0.6 IW : CPE treatment (`438/ha/day), followed by the 0.4 IW : CPE treatment (`410/ha/day) and rainfed (`333/ha/day).