Standardizing Drip Irrigation Scheduling and NPK Levels on Economics and Energy use of Mentha (Mentha arvensis) Crop in Tarai Regions of Uttarakhand

Abstract

To standardize the scheduling of drip irrigation and NPK levels on yield, economics and energy use of mentha crop, this field study was executed at G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar (Uttarakhand), India in the Norman E. Borlaug Crop Research center during the spring season of 2017. This experiment was performed in Factorial RBD having three replications. Three drip irrigation scheduling levels, 75%, 100% and 125% based on cumulative pan evaporation (CPE) loss with one control as a conventional flood and three NPK levels, 75%, 100% and 125% are taken as treatments. Experimental data conclude that drip irrigation CPE and NPK levels at 125% recorded the maximum fresh herbage (29699 and 30027 kg/ha), oil yield (260 and 274 kg/ha) and farm economics. Further the highest oil content was recorded with 125% NPK level (0.92%) but in case of CPE level, it is highest with 75% CPE (0.94%). Highest total energy input and output recorded with 125% CPE and 125% NPK levels, being 18674 and 18383 MJ/ha (input), 51988 MJ/ha and 55099 MJ/ha (output), respectively. Energy use efficiency and energy productivity increase with increase in irrigation levels and NPK dose, being highest with 125% CPE and 125% NPK dose. Again Drip irrigation and NPK level of 125% recorded maximum energy intensiveness of 0.24 MJ/Rs and 0.23 MJ/Rs and net energy gain of 33604 MJ/ha and 36425 MJ/ha, respectively.