Research Paper Influence of drip fertigation on growth, yield and leaf-quality characters of sun- cured chewing tobacco (Nicotiana tobaccum)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during 201114 at Research Station of ICARCentral Tobacco Research In- stitute, Vedasandur, Tamil Nadu, to study the effect of drip fertigation in sun cured chewing tobacco (Nicotiana tabaccum L.). Drip fertigation was given with 60, 80 and 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN), drip irriga- tion with 100% RDN (soil applied) as against the surface method of irrigation with 100% RDN. Drip fertigation at 100% RDN recorded significantly higher leaf length and leaf width than surface method of irrigation. The increase in first grade leaf yield (FGLY) and total cured leaf yield (TCLY) was 12.5% and 17.2%, respectively, with drip fertigation over surface method of irrigation. Water-use efficiency (WUE) ranged from 19.9 to 22.4 kg/ha-mm with the drip treatments. Cost of cultivation was higher with drip treatments ( 74,200 to 76,600/ha), than that of surface method of irrigation ( 67,900). The net returns increased by 19.9% with drip fertigation at 100% RDN and drip ir- rigation with 100% RDN (soil applied) over the surface irrigation. Similar trend was also observed for benefit: cost ratio. Nutrient uptake (NPK) and residual soil nutrients were higher with drip fertigation with 100 and 80% RDN. Chewablilty scores were higher (>65 out of 80) with drip fertigation with 100, 80% RDN and drip irrigation with 100% RDN soil applied, nicotine content increased (2.80 to 2.82%) and reducing sugars decreased (3.60 to 3.40%) with drip irrigation or with drip fertigation.