Evaluation of Suitable Smart Irrigation System for Black Gram

Abstract

A field experimental study was conducted during summer season (2023) at Eastern farm of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore to evaluate suitable irrigation method for black gram. The experiment was laid out in a strip plot design which comprise main plot treatments such as  M1 – Drip Irrigation, M2 –Micro sprinkler Irrigation, M3 – Rain hose Irrigation and M4 – Conventional Irrigation and subplot consists of different depths for placement of soil moisture sensor  viz.,  D1 – 5 cm , D2 – 10 cm and D3 – 15 cm. The growth attributes viz., plant height, number of branches per plant, number of leaves per plant were significantly higher in drip irrigation system with sensor depth of 15cm. The root length and root dry weight were significantly greater in Rain hose irrigation with sensor placed at depth of 15 cm. The yield attributes viz., number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, number of seeds per plant, pod weight per plant, pod length, test weight, grain yield and haulm yield were significantly higher in drip irrigation with sensor placed at depth of 15 cm. The average grain yield of drip irrigation method is 31.7 per cent higher than the grain yield of conventional irrigation method. Higher grain yield of 1159 kg ha -1 was obtained in drip system with sensor placed at the depth of 15 cm.