Effect of different irrigation schedules on dry matter, seed yield and profitability of sewan (Lasiurus sindicus) grass in hot arid region of Rajasthan.

摘要

A field experiment was conducted during summer seasons on 2005 and 2006 to determine the proper irrigation scheduling for higher and economic productivity of sewan (Lasiurus sindicus [L. scindicus]) grass in hot arid region of Rajasthan, India. The treatments comprised eight irrigation schedules: (T1) rainfed control; (T2) irrigation as per needed; (T3) one irrigation in early March; (T4) two irrigations, one in March and second at 30 days after the first irrigation; (T5) two irrigations, one in March and second at 60 days after the first irrigation; (T6) two irrigations, one in March and second at 90 days after the first irrigation; (T7) two irrigations, one in March and second at 120 days after the first irrigation; and (T8) three irrigations, one in March, second at 60 days and third at 120 days after the first irrigation. The growth parameters such as height of tiller, number of tillers per tussock and diameter at tussock recorded maximum with the treatment T2 in both years except height of tiller in 2005. Treatment T8 recorded maximum height of tiller (101.1 cm) during 2005. The values of length of spike were 3.25 to 57.8%, spikelets per spike were 4.07 to 53.3% and 1000-seed per spike were 1.45 to 22.8% higher with treatment T2 than all other treatments. The sewan seed yields recorded with treatment T4 was significantly higher over other treatments in both years. This increase was higher by 10.8 to 81.3% in 2005 and 16.2 to 124.4% in 2006 compared to other treatments. The germination percentage ranged from 28.7 to 36.2 in the first year and 31.6 to 40.1 in the second year. T3 treatment recorded the highest water use efficiency (50.83 and 56.60 kg/ha mm in the first and second year, respectively). T4 treatment recorded the highest net returns (Rs. 22 110/ha) and benefit:cost ratio (3.17) over other treatments.