Pantnagar Journal of Research

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to study the combined effect of drip irrigation and mulching on fruit set, yield and water use efficiency of litchi cv. Rose Scented at the Horticulture Research Centre, Patharchatta of G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand, during the year 2021. Litchi trees under the study were subjected to mulching with different types of materials (black polythene and white polythene) and supplied with drip irrigation. The combined application of drip irrigation and black polythene mulch significantly improved fruit set, fruit retention, yield and WUE compared with flood irrigation and non-mulched treatments. Highest fruit set (30.07 %) was found in the treatment DI₂ M₁ (75% ER with black polythene mulch). Maximum WUE (9.59 kg m^³) was observed under the treatment DI₁ M₁ (50% ER with black polythene mulch), indicating improved water productivity under deficit irrigation with mulching. Thus, drip irrigation along with black polythene mulch can be recommended to litchi growers to enhance fruit set, increase yield and productivity and improve water use efficiency of the orchard. The water use efficiency was higher (7.41 kg/m³) with 100% ER with black polythene mulch and saved 25.92 % irrigation water in comparison to control.