NPK Uptake of Tomato as Influenced by Irrigation Regimes and Fertigation Levels under Greenhouse Condition

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted in two seasons during 2012-2013 at Hi-Tech-Horticulture unit, Saidapur, UAS, Dharwad, Karnataka, India to evaluate the effect of drip irrigation and fertigation levels on NPK uptake of tomato hybrid STH-801 under greenhouse conditions. The experiment was laid out with three drip irrigation regimes (I1 = 40, I2 = 60 and I3 = 80% of crop evapotranspiration; ETc) and three fertigation levels (F1 = 50, F2 = 75 and F3 = 100% of recommended dose of fertilizers; RDF) in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with factorial concept and replicated thrice with one absolute control. The results showed that NPK uptake by plants was significantly enhanced by irrigation regimes, fertigation levels and their interaction at fruiting and harvesting stage. However, non-significant difference was recorded in nutrients uptake at flowering stage. Irrigation regime at 40% ETc showed a significant reduction in NPK uptake by plants as compared to I2 and I3 irrigation regimes. However, no significant difference was recorded in nutrients uptake between I2 and I3. The effect of fertigation levels on nutrients uptake was also significant at fruiting and harvesting stage. The uptake of NPK by plant was significantly higher at F2 and F3 than at F1. However, there was no significant difference in nutrients uptake between F2 and F3. Fertigation treatments recorded significantly higher nutrients uptake as compared to conventional soil application of normal fertilizers with drip irrigation.